I wrote a post last year about some of the things my students (I’m a teacher) and colleagues said to me as the only COVID conscious person in our building. One of my students told me, “Y’all still acting like it’s COVID,” because I mask and follow basic hygiene. I made a comment on another post last night that was similar, so I thought I’d do it again.
When I tell my students how I don’t want to get COVID or other illnesses and they look at me like I have two heads. It’s like COVID has destroyed basic hygiene knowledge. So this time around, I’ve decided to write down some of the things I have said to students and staff so far this school year.
To a student, “Cover your mouth with your shirt or a tissue when you cough. No, not like that. You have to catch the germs. Yes, you actually have to trap them.”
To a teacher, “Yeah I noticed a bunch of your class is sick too. Just saying, nothing’s stopping you from masking again. There’s not just effective against COVID. I’ve got extras.”
To a student, “Take it out of your mouth. See, now there’s spit on your pencil. And you use your hand to write with that pencil. And you’re touching the tables where your friends sit. Do you think they want your spit on them?”
To a teacher, “I don’t think they’re faking it. If a kid feels sick I make a nurse appointment for them. They’re not going to be effective learners if their body needs rest.”
To a student, “You’re right, I did get COVID last year even though I mask all the time. I would have probably gotten it a lot more if I didn’t. Where do you think I got it from? My house?”
To the principal, “Thanks, we practice hygiene a lot in my room. It’s not that hard. You just have to model how to do these things for them. I honestly think we should have a hygiene clinic/assembly at least at the beginning of the year.”
To a student, “Okay why in the world is your used tissue lying on your worksheet rather than in the trashcan? Yes, you have to do it again. I’m not grading your snot.”
To a special education teacher, “I know some of my students on your case load need fidgets and other manipulatives. I don’t want to step on your toes, but maybe these chew toy things aren’t the best choice for this student who struggles with motor function anyway. He’s literally covered in saliva by 10am.”
To a student, “You still have to wash your hands after using the free-draw markers. 20 seconds. Warm water. Soap. Get your finger nails.”
To a teacher, “They’ve been empty for weeks? The custodians have thousands of refills for the soap and hand sanitizer dispensers. Just ask them for a few boxes at a time and change them as needed. You don’t have to just live with them being empty.”
To a student, “Hand sanitizer doesn’t clean off your hands. You literally just rubbed snot all over the your hands. No, you can’t just use more hand sanitizer.”
I could go on and on. But I think you get the picture. Kids have always been gross. Apparently more and more adults are too. You’d think a pandemic would make some of these basic hygiene practices common knowledge. Why the hell am I teaching 11-year-olds how to blow their noses and wash their hands? Why am I the only one on staff who actively tries to not get sick.
It is. A good quality mask will help protect you very, very, very much. You mentioned they’re uncomfortable. What kind of masks have you tried? It’s ok if you don’t know what brands or product names. There’s loads of different types for different faces.
My wife works with hundreds of people, mostly kids and their families every day. She's the only one who wears an N95 for her whole shift and commute, just about 12 hours total. She's been there a year and we have not once been sick. There is always an element of luck when no one else is contributing to mitigation, but it can't just be luck for that long. Respirators that fit your face are extremely, extremely good at protecting you, and everyone around you. They are always worth it.
I’ve tried some KN95s with earhooks and a nose piece (the least uncomfortable), a couple different varieties of 3M N95/Aura masks, some other brand’s N95 masks, and they’re all varying degrees of awful sensory. unless there’s a mask that magically doesn’t feel like I have something on my face, I don’t think a comfortable mask exists for me.
Not wanting discomfort is understandable. I’m not trying to be facetious by saying this, but have you considered the discomfort that comes with COVID infections, for yourself and those you would potentially infect?
KN95s offer a great deal of protection. You can get/make ear-savers as well if that’s an issue (a seal check is mandatory if you do this because it changes the contour of the mask).
Sometimes I recommend IFM N95 A105, which is very similar to fold style kN95s. You can try duckbill or cup styles too.
And there’s of course plastic reusable p100 respirators, which a lot of people would associate with industrial uses. Next to adhesive seal respirators, they are most effective.