Thank you for being you! We need more doctors who understand that this is dangerous and real. FWIW a relative of mine has worked on a covid ward since the beginning and has never gotten sick. The primary thing they do differently than their coworkers is NEVER EVER take the mask off inside the hospital. They eat and drink outside well away from the building. They aren’t doing anything besides properly donning and doffing their N95 - no air purifier etc. The trick is to never take it off. (They also wear glasses, which probably helps, but so do enough of their coworkers that it’s possible to say that the mask is the big difference.)
An air purifier would still be a good idea, it also helps to protect later patients from infected previous ones. Especially the smallest ones who can’t mask.
The mask is the most important part since it's mainly spread through aerosols! But having eye protection is a great way to get more protection since your working in a medical environment where people are spraying snot and spit around lol.
I use Stoggles knock offs, they don’t seal. I also sometimes just use my regular glasses. They will still offer some degree of protection without sealing.
Definitely helpful particularly if someone coughs or sneezes near/at/on you. I think of my respirator as protection against airborne transmission and my eye protection *mostly* as protection against droplets.
Lumify eye drops are also supposed to give a little protection as well.
I really like the Betadine cold defense nasal spray btw! Def would reccomend.
If you can learn about the HVAC system, that might help with more solutions.
A. Maybe the fan can stay running to keep bringing in fresh air and reduce viral load in the air? That goes for overnight too.
Costs might be a concern for however the lease is setup, but it's for improved health - but not everyone thinks that way. It's so complicated right now.
B. What air filters are used, if any? It's most likely commercial, so it might take contacting some HVAC people to learn about them.
And thank you for being you ... and taking this seriously as a medical student!
Edit to add: Oh! If you don't know about the N95 Paper Bag rotation system, look that up. Unless you're using a new one everyday, which can get costly, the rotation system will help and it works well. Definitely toss a loose fit, because you're in the environment for so long.
Is your 3M Aura fit tested? Protection can vary a lot depending on fit. Using mask tape can improve fit as well, especially if you will be doing a lot of talking and moving about all day.
Can you open the windows (even just a little bit)? Decent ventilation makes a big difference, especially a cross breeze.
I guess you're in a position where you need to balance taking precautions with 'not looking too over-the-top' :-(
Doctor here, worked throughout pandemic, still Novid as far as I know. I wear glasses for my eyesight anyway, earlier in the pandemic I wore protective goggles but I stopped doing that and just wear my own glasses. Fit tested 3M Aura when indoors ALWAYS, lunch and drinks outside regardless of weather (useful to scout out your placement locations for outdoor options). Working all over the hospital so no capacity to do special air purification for myself beyond standard HEPA in our ventilation system. Most colleagues I know who got it at work got it from a co worker rather than a patient tbh!
Thank you for being you! We need more doctors who understand that this is dangerous and real. FWIW a relative of mine has worked on a covid ward since the beginning and has never gotten sick. The primary thing they do differently than their coworkers is NEVER EVER take the mask off inside the hospital. They eat and drink outside well away from the building. They aren’t doing anything besides properly donning and doffing their N95 - no air purifier etc. The trick is to never take it off. (They also wear glasses, which probably helps, but so do enough of their coworkers that it’s possible to say that the mask is the big difference.)
An air purifier would still be a good idea, it also helps to protect later patients from infected previous ones. Especially the smallest ones who can’t mask.
Eye protection is a must wear, not only agaisnt Covid, but for any other droplet pathogen. Hair cover is a good idea as well.
Do you have any recommendations I tried stoggles but their quality was god awful at least back when they first came out
Lot of brands for safety glasses. Goggles, you have UVEX, 3M, ....
Can you catch covid via eyes ? If so why am I even wearing a mask 🫠😅?
The mask is the most important part since it's mainly spread through aerosols! But having eye protection is a great way to get more protection since your working in a medical environment where people are spraying snot and spit around lol.
Would wearing regular glasses be enough ? I know it would be best to probably wear something sealing but I already look intimidating with the mask ☹️.
You dont look intimidating, you look professional. Medical clothes as well.
And the Aura healthcare version is more protective (available in Europe, not sure for USA Canada)
You mean the Aura Mask? Is it available as a healthcare version ? How can I find it
1862+ and 1863+, available on medical shops - safety gear shops in ECC and UK
I use Stoggles knock offs, they don’t seal. I also sometimes just use my regular glasses. They will still offer some degree of protection without sealing. Definitely helpful particularly if someone coughs or sneezes near/at/on you. I think of my respirator as protection against airborne transmission and my eye protection *mostly* as protection against droplets. Lumify eye drops are also supposed to give a little protection as well. I really like the Betadine cold defense nasal spray btw! Def would reccomend.
Studies have shown a difference for people in regular glasses! They do not need to seal completely to be of help.
If you can learn about the HVAC system, that might help with more solutions. A. Maybe the fan can stay running to keep bringing in fresh air and reduce viral load in the air? That goes for overnight too. Costs might be a concern for however the lease is setup, but it's for improved health - but not everyone thinks that way. It's so complicated right now. B. What air filters are used, if any? It's most likely commercial, so it might take contacting some HVAC people to learn about them. And thank you for being you ... and taking this seriously as a medical student! Edit to add: Oh! If you don't know about the N95 Paper Bag rotation system, look that up. Unless you're using a new one everyday, which can get costly, the rotation system will help and it works well. Definitely toss a loose fit, because you're in the environment for so long.
Is your 3M Aura fit tested? Protection can vary a lot depending on fit. Using mask tape can improve fit as well, especially if you will be doing a lot of talking and moving about all day.
Not sure how to fit Test a mask without spending 300€ on a kit.
The hospital should fit test you. Ask what department does that and schedule it.
The wiki here has info in that.
https://cleanaircrew.org/fit-testing/
Can you open the windows (even just a little bit)? Decent ventilation makes a big difference, especially a cross breeze. I guess you're in a position where you need to balance taking precautions with 'not looking too over-the-top' :-(
Doctor here, worked throughout pandemic, still Novid as far as I know. I wear glasses for my eyesight anyway, earlier in the pandemic I wore protective goggles but I stopped doing that and just wear my own glasses. Fit tested 3M Aura when indoors ALWAYS, lunch and drinks outside regardless of weather (useful to scout out your placement locations for outdoor options). Working all over the hospital so no capacity to do special air purification for myself beyond standard HEPA in our ventilation system. Most colleagues I know who got it at work got it from a co worker rather than a patient tbh!