You know, almost every time I fly, I get sick. Its awful.
From now on, I'm going to wear a mask at the airport for everything except security. Hopefully that will reduce or eliminate me getting sick when flying.
Honestly its totally exhausting. I cant tell you how many times I've flown across the world only to be sick for the first 2 days of my visit.
Its not jet lag because it doesnt happen every time. East or westbound. I remember a whole day of flying, only to land and be motivated and ready to go as soon as I was checked into the hotel and had a shower.
I have done this and MANY of my coworkers have as well (medical diagnostics sales). Flew 2-4 times per week, in 20 yrs, thru SARS, H1N1, H5N1, etc never infected. I wash my hands like i have OCD and don't touch my face---MANY years of hospitals, pathology labs and training cured my face touching.
Typically the cabin is pressurized to the equivalent of ~8,000 feet above sea level and the the cabin is very, very dry -- something like 12% relative humidity.
This tends to dry folks out, and the dehydration leads to a bit of constipation. The uncomfortable, extended time spent sitting doesn't help either.
Amusingly the lower air pressure can increase flatulence and bloating, but getting dried out so much stops solids from moving on through.
Aside: Some folks' kidneys respond to the high-altitude air pressure by making a lot of urine, leading to frequent trips to the loo.
My only concern regarding the efficacy of masks and airborne germs: If someone is going to sneeze wuhan on you, it's going to go into your eyes even with a mask. So, I dunno. I think the common sense point is that if they didn't work, hospital staff wouldn't wear them. (good ones, that is)
You can still inhale airborne pathogens through a mask unless you get N95. Regular masks or DIY masks are not going to create a proper seal around your face meaning the air from outside can find its way in around it.
Covid-19 is primarily acquired through droplet transmission. Regular masks (non- n95s) filter about 80% of that out. A single layer of cotton in homemade masks filters about 60% out.
Surgical (regular) masks are extremely efficient at greatly reducing the wearer's risk from acquiring droplet respiratory infections. If everyone was wearing masks, this whole Chinese cornoavirus thing would be just about over by now.
I don't know if I can ever fly again worry free, wondering what crud I might have picked up on a plane and could be spreading when I visit my mother's relatives.
You know, almost every time I fly, I get sick. Its awful.
From now on, I'm going to wear a mask at the airport for everything except security. Hopefully that will reduce or eliminate me getting sick when flying.
Honestly its totally exhausting. I cant tell you how many times I've flown across the world only to be sick for the first 2 days of my visit.
Its not jet lag because it doesnt happen every time. East or westbound. I remember a whole day of flying, only to land and be motivated and ready to go as soon as I was checked into the hotel and had a shower.
Its ALMOST every time.
I have done this and MANY of my coworkers have as well (medical diagnostics sales). Flew 2-4 times per week, in 20 yrs, thru SARS, H1N1, H5N1, etc never infected. I wash my hands like i have OCD and don't touch my face---MANY years of hospitals, pathology labs and training cured my face touching.
I get constipated when I fly, even a short flight. Never could figure that one out.
Take magnesium!
Airplane cabins are a high-altitude desert.
Typically the cabin is pressurized to the equivalent of ~8,000 feet above sea level and the the cabin is very, very dry -- something like 12% relative humidity.
This tends to dry folks out, and the dehydration leads to a bit of constipation. The uncomfortable, extended time spent sitting doesn't help either.
Amusingly the lower air pressure can increase flatulence and bloating, but getting dried out so much stops solids from moving on through.
Aside: Some folks' kidneys respond to the high-altitude air pressure by making a lot of urine, leading to frequent trips to the loo.
Mystery solved. Thank you 'pede!
My only concern regarding the efficacy of masks and airborne germs: If someone is going to sneeze wuhan on you, it's going to go into your eyes even with a mask. So, I dunno. I think the common sense point is that if they didn't work, hospital staff wouldn't wear them. (good ones, that is)
Covid-19 is primarily acquired through droplet transmission. Regular masks (non- n95s) filter about 80% of that out. A single layer of cotton in homemade masks filters about 60% out.
Surgical (regular) masks are extremely efficient at greatly reducing the wearer's risk from acquiring droplet respiratory infections. If everyone was wearing masks, this whole Chinese cornoavirus thing would be just about over by now.
I bought a dozen n95s about 2 months after the ebola scare.
GREAT IDEA
I don't know if I can ever fly again worry free, wondering what crud I might have picked up on a plane and could be spreading when I visit my mother's relatives.