@laura-f I live up the road from you in South Orange County. It's the same here. About 20% of the people are wearing masks. There are no words.
Regarding masks:
I think that the importance of types of masks bears repeating, if you will indulge me...
Michael Osterholm, PhD (not MD as I wrote in previous post) is one of the country's leading epidemiologists and has consulted with the Biden administration. According to him (and Fauci):
1. The only masks to trust are N95s or KN95s.
2. They come in XS, S, M and L. Fit is important; leaky masks are unreliable.
3. A cloth masks gives only 5 minutes extra protection (probably varies) but a N95 can give you 25 hours or more of protection.
4. N95s can be purchased online. In his podcast, he mentioned the industrial supply house Grainger as a source. They offer a variety of sizes and styles. I haven't used the molded ones yet but I ordered some to try. Thus far, I have found the accordion style to be the most comfortable. N95s are available now but if the Delta wave continues, they might become hard to get again--just my personal speculation.
5. K95s for children are available. Having said that, I tried to purchase some online and found it odd. I am now receiving ads for masks that are accompanied by anti-vax propaganda!!! If you have a VPN, use it to shop. ? I will try again so that I can offer them to my granddaughter's kindergarten teacher for the whole class.
Your daughter should wear a N95 but I bet it would be hard to be heard by the class given the muffling of sound. I wonder if she could use a small microphone and amplifier? They offer them to teachers who have students with central auditory processing disorders, so they are not unheard of in the classroom. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
This is a lovely group, please protect yourselves. I will now dismount my soapbox...until next time.
@laura-f I worked on a Pfizer funded study in the 1980's for Harvard Medical School. They were corrupt. When I realized it was corrupt, both my professor and the sponsor, Pfizer, I had just finished my part of the study then asked that my name not be on it. Peers were surprised that I didn't want to be named as part of a prestigious group. I also stepped away from the Harvard Medical establishment too and decided to go to Kripalu and learn to meditate. Unfortunately my husband has the Pfizer vaccine. I have Moderna.
It is possible, however, that the data will shift as more results come in.
I had the Pfizer vaccine, but I'm not going to worry about it. I'll continue to utilize safe practices, e.g. I never stopped wearing masks inside stores even when our county's restrictions were lifted, no indoor dining, maintain social distancing, etc. I do intend to receive a booster vaccine when one becomes available. Hopefully it will also address the Delta and Lambda variants.
My husband and I have our annual trip to the Outer Banks coming up in October. We cancelled last year because of the pandemic but are hoping we can make it there this year. We rent a beachfront cottage. We'll drive down there, wear our N95s at rest stops and bring our own food.
I am attaching some information on selecting KN95 and N95 masks. Hope some of you find this helpful.
https://www.nbcnews.com/shopping/wellness/best-kn95-face-masks-n1259013
https://shop.projectn95.org/find-the-right-mask
Some of what has been reported has not been peer reviewed. Today the New England Journal of Medicine released a peer reviewed article.
KN95 Masks: The WellBefore brand was recommended to me. These were on sale, in stock, and entering ProtectMe10 at checkout nets another 10% off.
I realize the dilemma I have is so minor compared to others here but I would like advice from anyone especially Texans. We reserved a condo on South Padre Island which requires prepaid non-refundable payments before we check in. One is due in Sept. and one in Nov. Do any of you have advice and/or predictions on whether or not Jan.in Texas is a good idea?
@debbie-m This is just my instant thought - Not. Honestly I wouldn't go anywhere near Texas for at least another 8-12 months.
@tgraf66 Thanks. I appreciate your frank answer and I am seriously considering taking your advice.