*Updated 9/2/2023

Masks

Masks (respirators) are extremely effective against airborne viruses such as COVID-19. If you choose one “tool” to carry, among the physical ones listed below, make it a respirator.

  1. Studies and Considerations:

  1. Types of recommended masks/links to buy:

  1. Free or cheap resources for obtaining masks:

Nasal Sprays

Nasal Sprays as a whole have not been widely studied for use in prevention of COVID-19 (yet). There have also been no comparative studies that can point to which type is most effective. Some studies that have been conducted and listed here have some issues – who they are funded by, methods carried out, etc. Be sure to check out the studies that are listed and use your best judgment to determine if this is worth adding to your toolbox.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE NASAL SPRAYS

  1. Iota-Carrageenan Nasal Spray

  1. Hypromellose spray

  1. Nitric Oxide spray

  1. Xylitol Nasal Spray

  1. Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl

FUTURE NASAL SPRAYS IN PRODUCTION/UNDERGOING TRIALS

  1. Trimeric Sherpabody 92 (TriSb92)

NASAL RINSE

How to do a Nasal irrigation with a saline solution safely

“May Help, Won’t Hurt”

MOUTH WASH

  1. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)

EYE PROTECTION

  1. Eyedrops containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK) 0.01%

  1. Glasses

CLEAN(ER) AIR

  1. Air Quality Monitoring

CO2 Monitoring of Ventilation - When and How to Use It

  1. Air Purifiers

Social Considerations

Infection Control

  1. Make a plan for your potential future COVID infection
  1. COVID+ Workbook (made by this site’s creator)
  2. My COVID+ Plan by CleanAirClub
  1. Know your status
  1. Symptom tracking
  1. The symptoms of COVID-19 have changed drastically since the beginning of the pandemic. What may seem like a cold or stomach bug by Delta’s standards, may in fact be one of the newer COVID variants. Always record when a new symptom appears. You may also want to check your temperature and other vitals. This can come in handy later if it does end up being a symptom of COVID (see: Contact Tracing).
  2. Of course, not all symptoms automatically mean COVID. But if you’re feeling ill, consider skipping unnecessary social outings and taking sick time/days off if you’re able to.
  1. “No, you don't have the 'August flu.' It's probably COVID” - Business Insider Aug 2023
  1. Testing
  1. CDC site on the different kinds of tests
  1. PCR Tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
  1. RAT (Rapid Antigen Test)

  1. In addition to testing after an exposure or symptoms begin, you may want to test as a precaution before events or on a regular basis (such as weekly or following higher-risk activities). This is not accessible to everyone, but if your workplace, health insurance, or other places in your community are still providing tests, they can be an additional tool to stop the spread!
  1. Testing immediately before an event or visit is best practice, but within 12 hours of the event is still effective. Yale School of Public Health 2022
  1. Accessing COVID-19 tests
  1. The CDC Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program supports no-cost COVID-19 testing for uninsured people that are symptomatic or exposed. Search for a testing site here.
  2. Community-based testing sites that may offer free testing
  3. Those with medicaid can still access 8 free RAT tests/month at their pharmacy (Different states may handle differently, Massachusetts bulletin here)
  4. The NIH will send 6 free RAT tests - test2treat.org
  5. Search for your local MASK BLOC or other advocacy groups providing free masks, tests, and other tools in their community!
  1. Quarantine and Isolation

Website author note: The Official CDC’s recommendations differ from these because they are balancing the needs of capital with their failed duties to public health. The timelines below were used for a statewide contact tracing program in 2020-2021 and I have not seen compelling evidence to support the reduction in isolation/quarantine periods.

 

  1. A contact who is exposed to someone with COVID should quarantine for 7-14 days to avoid spreading it unknowingly.
  1. No symptoms: Quarantine for at least 7 days.

The Last day of exposure = Day 0. If there are NO symptoms, obtain a PCR test on day 5. If the test in negative, and there continues to be no symptoms, return to normal activities on day 7.

(Sunday exposure, Monday-Friday symptom tracking, Friday PCR test, Saturday break quarantine)

  1. Symptoms: Quarantine for 2 full weeks unless positive test.
  1. Someone who tests positive for COVID should isolate for at least 10 full days, beginning at the symptom start date or positive test date (whichever comes first) regardless of whether they are symptomatic.
  1. Some may need or choose to isolate for longer than ten days, due to being immunocompromised or a persistence of symptoms. The positive person should check with their doctor and track their symptoms.
  2. The first day of symptoms or positive test = Day 0. If symptoms have greatly improved by day 10 (including no fever for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications), on day 11 isolation can be ended.