BroadwaybabytoTalk to me about #PPE. I’ve managed to avoid #Covid so far by using well fitted N95s and/or half face respirators. Haven’t done eye protection yet because I avoid any crowded places - but my main exposure is elevator /hallway in my condo building. I’m hearing the XBB variant may be able to infect via eyes/ears easier than previous variants. Should we wear goggles? Are glasses ok? And what would you do for ears? I’m trying to figure out HOW it infects via eyes. I assumed it was either from
Still COVIDing Multiverse@broadwaybabyto I would strongly recommend wearing eye protection along with your mask. #weareyeprotection #weargoggles
@bringbackmasksbc what’s the method of transmission through the eyes though? Is it droplet/contact or can it infect via airborne? Do you know?
trendless@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc anything that can deposit in your eyes can seed an infection; the higher affinity to ACE2, the fewer particles needed. There were some hypotheses by..? Lyndsey Marr maybe? regarding the properties of airflow and what it would take to cause aerosolized droplets to deposit in the eyes. Not impossible, particularly when going from colder outside to warmer inside -- consider the burst of air when you walk into a store these wintery days.
J.H.Noyes@trendless
We really need something like iota-carageenan for the eyes. I don't think iota is safe for the eyes at all. Well, pure iota maybe, but it can break down into compounds that are really irritating, even in small quantities. Wish we had something else.
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
We really need something like iota-carageenan for the eyes. I don't think iota is safe for the eyes at all. Well, pure iota maybe, but it can break down into compounds that are really irritating, even in small quantities. Wish we had something else.
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
@noyes hm... iirc they use silver nitrate in babies' eyes immediately after birth to prevent HSV acquisition 🤔
@trendless
We need something with at least a 2 hour window of efficacy. I know I run the risk of sounding like a wingnut, but I wonder how effective colloidal silver would be...
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
We need something with at least a 2 hour window of efficacy. I know I run the risk of sounding like a wingnut, but I wonder how effective colloidal silver would be...
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
@noyes it seems to come up in some conversations about silver nitrate; presumably would need a quality brand that actually includes the right stuff.
@trendless
It looks like tamarind seeds are extensively processed for pharma and cosmetic applications. It shouldn't be too much of a challenge to get the right stuff. I'm concerned about the denaturing agent... needs to be gentle enough for 30 or so applications a week.
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
It looks like tamarind seeds are extensively processed for pharma and cosmetic applications. It shouldn't be too much of a challenge to get the right stuff. I'm concerned about the denaturing agent... needs to be gentle enough for 30 or so applications a week.
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
@trendless
Silver might actually work. Recombinant MBL would probably work, too. I'd prefer an outright neutralizing agent to an enzyme inhibitor.
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
Silver might actually work. Recombinant MBL would probably work, too. I'd prefer an outright neutralizing agent to an enzyme inhibitor.
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
@noyes I don't suppose anyone's processing leeks for use in cosmetics 😏
@trendless
A tamarind polysaccharide base might extend the durability of the denaturing agent.
https://www.farmigea.it/en/tamarind-seed-polysaccharide/#:~:text=The%20Tamarind%20Seed%20Polysaccharide%20(TSP,treatment%20of%20dry%20eye%20syndrome.
@broadwaybabyto @bringbackmasksbc
@noyes that's brilliant
@trendless @bringbackmasksbc lol bold of you to assume I go into stores! Sadly haven’t been in a store in 3 years. My main concern is condo hallways and elevators which are usually quite quiet. It just comes down to whether it’s more droplet or aerosol for eyes . If it can linger in the hallway I would want to know. But I already get weird looks wearing my respirator to the garbage chute 
@broadwaybabyto heh heh, fair enough. Any pressure differential that creates bursts of air towards your eyes was what I was getting at. Without anything directing the air towards your eyes, it's perhaps unlikely that aerosols would be able to deposit. But I don't take that risk, personally; I wear full face elastos anywhere I go indoors in public (which is rare, but necessary for groceries and mail).
@trendless @bringbackmasksbc lol yeah I should probably just get a full face one and be done with it because I hate how worried I get when I ask people not to use the elevator. I’m a tiny girl - I can’t exactly block the door. Thankfully people have all been really good & I get 98% of things delivered but with a full face I could have a bit more freedom. Have you been harassed wearing it? I’ve been bothered in my half face which makes me worried to go all in on a full face.
@broadwaybabyto I haven't, but I'm always waiting for it. Another reason I'm glad I left the city. Ridiculous. "You do you... except if you do something I don't like" 🤦
@bringbackmasksbc @trendless ugh right? Like I’ve been harassed at the hospital ffs. You would think there of all places it would be ok! So now I just never go out and given I live in a 500 sq foot concrete box my mental health is not loving it. But it also won’t love Covid or being accosted in public!
@broadwaybabyto I did hear that those who wear glasses were less likely to get COVID, so wearing proper eye protection like goggles should give even better protection.
mindstalk@bringbackmasksbc @broadwaybabyto
But last I heard (a while ago) we didn't know if that was the glasses preventing droplets, or glasses-wearers being better at mask fit as they tried to avoid fogging.
But last I heard (a while ago) we didn't know if that was the glasses preventing droplets, or glasses-wearers being better at mask fit as they tried to avoid fogging.
@bringbackmasksbc also less likely to be touching their eyes - so a few variables to consider. I’m anal about not touching my face when I go out so not worried about that but am worried I would get harassed if I wore goggles. That said I also don’t want to ignore a potential infection route.