If I'm stuck in the same area as someone who is clearly sick (runny nose, coughing etc) is there some combo of short/long breaths or nose/mouth breathing that's a better defense against catching it? - eviltoast
  • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
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    2 months ago

    Masks are suggested not for your own safety but for the safety of others… as you mentioned the eyes are quite sensitive to infection so masks on public transit aren’t an effort to keep germs in the air from getting to you - they’re an effort to prevent germs from getting in the air.

    You didn’t hear that talked about much during the pandemic because, if we’re honest, most people are assholes… they’ll bear a minor inconvenience to keep themselves safe but couldn’t be assed to keep anyone else safe.

    What a mask does do for you is to keep you from touching your mouth or face in general… that can be quite effective at reducing illness and, post-covid, I think we should all be more aware of doorknobs and other shared surfaces.

    • atrielienz@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      No offense but this was explained many a time during the pandemic, especially in relation to immunocompromised people. If op can’t mask I doubt there are any breathing techniques they can use to prevent them from getting sick. But cleaning anything they touch and washing their hands is as good a solution as any.