Unable to source N95 but was able to find a few Kn95 (china equivalent) I'm going to need more because soon my significant other will be mandated to return to work. In addition, he is high risk. I found a really cool modification for a plain surgical mask. Yes, masks can be reused if careful. I plan on using the 160 degree oven at 30 minutes (do not put it on metal surfaces in oven).That really sucks. If you can get your own N95 mask, there is a method to disinfect them I think.
I had PLENTY of PPD at home from being an acupuncture detox specialist, but I sort of felt like, meh, I would feel AWFUL coming in with all this stuff and NOT giving it to the medical assistants who were running out of gloves.
The husband found a giant box of unused N96 masks but we were not allowed to use them "due to the discomfort of families." This was before everyone was like "go go USA masks" and whatever. So we got ONE of the paper masks daily and shoving it in and out of like a paper bag caused me grave distress.
IDK if they are being cheap (I mean that field notoriously is) but my job is so out of PPD they are taking donations of homemade masks to give to PATIENTS they can, uh wash.
The whole thing is just so depressing. I did bring in my gloves but gave them to the MAs because you just don't ration gloves. I'm sorry but you shouldn't especially in an under like age 5 clinic where you are seeing 'well-childs" (and all their relatives god knows what they were incubating.)
Maybe I should have demanded the mask and gloves but no one was prepared for this, as ALWAYS. I wish some USEFUL USA agency would create A GIANT stockpile of it and give it out as needed, we will always be at risk of pandemics and frankly... In medicine it is your ONLY line of defense at first. That and rotation of in office vs telehealth visits, to decrease amount of exposure. All the "healthy" well people who died were on the front lines 24-7 and seeing very ill patients with not enough PPD.
PPD is around for a reason: stopping the transmission of like DAMN bacteria and viruses.
I was a lot younger but when I was pregnant I worked for a genetics company, human genome sequencing. The acrylamide gels we used were mutagens. You should have seen me swaddled up all morning dealing with my gels. EVERYONE made sure I was properly protected (pregnant or not.)
Sigh. They wanted to pay me to get my masters in Bio and eventually a PhD to make me a researcher. I was, prior to the fine tremor and all that, the ultimate technician. My sequencing was usually about 15% clearer and more accurate than anyone else's. I just did not want to go to school, work full time, and take care of a kid but I was making more doing THAT in the dang late 90s than I was until quite recently. IDK I'm more of a science technician although IDK I'm sure I could have made a useful researcher, But all that playing around in my dad's lab as a kid, meh.
Oh well, I'm off to the lands of rurality and working for the Indian Health Service if I don't die. I love that agency and working with tribes in general.
Anna
The hack is on facebook. The video wasn't posted on you tube. It works well.
It appears that I'm not able to load a facebook video.