Masks

We are tired of the pandemic too, so let's nip this baby in the bud. Masks aren't great fun, generally speaking, but I've got some suggestions for how to be less annoyed. Plus, winter is coming and it's suddenly not so bad to have a face cover on. Those summer protests were a little brutal.

Find a mask that fits you and is comfortable to wear. Of course you'll be irritated if it's itchy, doesn't fit, or doesn't allow you to breathe. Personally, I like the ones I've been making (which have a filter pocket and a one-string system that make an adjustable fit). I'll sell you one for $15, but there are other options in Biddeford if that's not your favorite. Julie Gray sells them at Time & Tide, Judy O'Neill sells them at Trillium, and there are now about a zillion people selling them on Etsy and elsewhere. 

Floss your teeth. It's well out of my scope of practice to advise on dental hygiene, so consider it a personal favor. Many people eschew flossing for a variety of reasons, but I'm here to tell you it's worth it especially when you have to smell your breath blowing back in your face all day. When I first started hanging out with Sean, one thing I noticed about him was that his breath was never stinky. "How is this possible?," I thought. And then I realized he always flossed his teeth. Sample size of one, but hey, might as well try. The first few days went about as well as you can imagine. Blood. Gross smells. Gross stuff. Yuck! Ew! Why would anyone do this?! But within a few days, things changed and my gums got healthier (no more bleeding) and there was less leftover gunk in my teeth to gross me out. My dentist was impressed. My other trick is a very fancy electric toothbrush, which I use for the recommended 2 minutes even when it feels like eternity. I spent $200 on it in 2011 and it's still going strong. I spend $30-60/year on new heads. Not bad considering the dental bills that would have piled up instead. Sean hates it because it's too buzzy, but he has a dentist-recommended system involving dry brushing, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a little effort that has so far had great results (no cavities).

Change or wash your masks. CDC says to wash your mask if it's dirty or at least daily. It'll probably smell gross if you don't anyway. Make sure you're using detergent that doesn't irritate your skin or nose. If you use disposables, toss them after one use or if they're damaged or visibly dirty. It's useful to have a collection if you're out of the house often.

And remember, while the mask primarily protects those around you, it also protects you by limiting the amount of virus you can pick up. Viral load is a factor in how the disease presents, i.e. the more virus you get on/in you, the worse the disease is. 

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