• Taco2112@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    40
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    6 months ago

    I think a mask is your best option. If you’re trying to prevent against other people’s illness, you probably need an N95 mask, something that seals around your mouth and nose. A surgical type mask is more to control the droplets and spread of illness coming from you.

  • AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    21
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    As everyone else is saying, wear a mask if you have one.

    But it seems like the question you’re directly asking is more about the fluid flow of air in the room. With your suggestion of alternating short/long breaths, you might be imagining that you can blow the germs away and then breathe in the clear space left behind, but of course it doesn’t work that way. Blowing or breathing quickly creates more turbulence, which stirs up the air and sucks in more air from further away—both of which increase your risk. (Reducing turbulence from your breath is the second function of a mask, besides filtering out particles.) In the best-case scenario, the germs are in large aerosolized droplets which will settle out of the air quickly, but only if the air is still—so you’d want to breathe softly and move as little as possible. (And the droplets can still be infectious after they fall, so wash your hands after touching anything as well.)

    • Jimbabwe@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      6 months ago

      Thank you for addressing my question. I’m aware of masks, lol. Any idea about nose vs. mouth breathing? Nose hairs filter some stuff, but then these aerosolized droplets are in my nose, so maybe that’s worse?

      Regarding short vs long breaths, I was kind of wondering if short breaths might limit how much virus material was inhaled. Restricting oxygen flow might be better if the exposure was short term.

      • BougieBirdie@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        6 months ago

        I probably heard most of this from the Magic Schoolbus, so don’t take me as a concrete source of truth.

        My intuition says that you’re at a lower risk by breathing through your nose. How much lower, I can’t say, it might be marginal.

        The mucus in your nose is part of the immune system. It’s designed to trap foreign particles and prevent them from getting deeper into your respiratory system.

        So with that in mind, I’d think that blowing your nose after exposure could be a safe bet. But make sure to wash your hands before you touch your face. Maybe after too.

      • BreadOven@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        6 months ago

        But since there’s overwhelming evidence masks work and will prevent (most likely) what you want to prevent…why even try something else? Unless you have a condition that prevents it, in which case, I’m sorry and shouldn’t assume you can wear one.

        • Jimbabwe@lemmy.worldOP
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          4
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          6 months ago

          Because I don’t always have an N95 mask on my person? Because I can’t always 100% control my environment, but I can almost always exercise some control over how I breathe?

          • BreadOven@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            6 months ago

            I guess that’s fair.

            I’ve just adapted to always having a mask on my person. In a pocket or bag.

            But if there is some sort of breathing technique that works (other than not breathing, but sort of doubt) go for it.

            I just wanted to state my opinion and I guess my problem solving technique (the easiest and most effective/reliable option is usually best) but everyone has their own, and I understand that.

            • Jimbabwe@lemmy.worldOP
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              1
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              edit-2
              6 months ago

              But if there is some sort of breathing technique that works

              The purpose of this post was to try to find an answer to this question

  • grff@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    15
    ·
    6 months ago

    Yeah whenever someone near me coughs or sneezes I hold my breath and exhale until I’m past them, maybe it’s not effective I’m not sure but it makes me feel better than breathing in air full of sneeze particles

    • kamenLady.@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      6 months ago

      I do this and always thought i would be exaggerating. Also, it’s pretty automatic, someone sneezes, i stop breathing until a few steps away.

  • TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    12
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    You can wear a mask. I bring one with me on public transit or other places I expect a lot of people in close proximity.

  • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    6 months ago

    Wear a mask and GTFO when you can. If it’s an airplane you can’t really do anything but hope and be extra cautious not to touch your face (a mask can help with this)… if it’s a bus or something then just GTFO unless it’s really low frequency and catch the next.

    Knowing the type of area would help.

  • Num10ck@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    6 months ago

    if someone coughs or sneezes in the same room as you, hold your breathe for 10-15 seconds if you can. some airbornes are floating around even longer than that but its something.

  • BreadOven@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    6 months ago

    Absorb oxygen through your moist skin.

    But really, an n95 will reduce the risk of you catching anything by a lot. Also wash your hands frequently.

  • Jimbabwe@lemmy.worldOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    6 months ago

    Wow, thank you! This is by far the most helpful answer. I will take a stab at grokking this paper.

  • ted@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    6 months ago

    There are also nasal sprays that are supposed to aid in the blocking of respiratory viruses. Pair that with a mask. Breath as slowly as possible (no gasps, laughs, or yawns) and only through your nose.