tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190935508807747675.post5248616143235999139..comments2024-03-28T00:25:27.947-07:00Comments on <br> <br><br><br> <br> <br> The Proud Holobionts: How I cured my Stiff Neck: Holobionts and Health. Ugo Bardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18231859786466899924noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190935508807747675.post-44715916142582292192021-08-07T17:04:09.179-07:002021-08-07T17:04:09.179-07:00I also noticed my "progressive lenses" c...I also noticed my "progressive lenses" caused awkward/stressing neck postures. <br /><br />I suggest trying on cheap single-lens dimestore glasses in-store and buying a pair if you find that some make your vision nice and clear. I found a pair that is close enough to my real prescription, but being single prescription, allows me to see the computer screen from any neck angle.<br /><br />Pleasant bonus: it's a lot more comfortable to have your whole field of view in focus at once.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08210921530524593112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190935508807747675.post-17873022423773254812021-04-21T08:35:24.197-07:002021-04-21T08:35:24.197-07:00Well yes, if there is an effect it's probably ...Well yes, if there is an effect it's probably more to do with keeping the mucosa warm so the cells function more efficiently. <br /><br />But you are continually breathing in and out, so it seems plausible to me that the microclimate inside your mask is more humid than outside. <br /><br />Indeed I believe some masks do get damp ... not mine as I use a high-tec one with an exhaust valve.<br /><br />There is a paper which suggests that stuffing your nose with cotton wool is as effective as a N95 mask - I adopt that extra precaution when I'm entering a high-risk environment such as a hospital. <br /><br />A principal site of infection for Covid-19 is supposed to be the goblet cells and ciliated cells in the nose, which have a high concentration of ACE-2 receptors where Covid-19 attaches. So blocking off these during breathing might help.<br /><br />It's only an observation but in about 50 hospital visits, pre-vaccination, I managed to avoid infection.<br /><br />Generally I think our understanding of how barriers can help is woefully poor.P Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03951229588424591400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190935508807747675.post-6531448414314613152021-04-19T15:10:56.385-07:002021-04-19T15:10:56.385-07:00An interesting point, and it is true that humidity...An interesting point, and it is true that humidity has a lot to do with the transmission of the virus via aerosol. But it is a little difficult to believe that face masks can have the effect you propose. Face masks may block aerosol droplets, but not water vapor, so that they will have little effect on your mucosa. Or so I think, but medicine has many misteries.Ugo Bardihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231859786466899924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3190935508807747675.post-40060608662412785772021-04-19T01:27:32.651-07:002021-04-19T01:27:32.651-07:00Nothing to do with your stiff neck, but on the sub...Nothing to do with your stiff neck, but on the subject of humidity and temperature I think the relationship to viral infections is an interesting topic:<br /><br />https://phys.org/news/2020-01-rapid-weather-flu.html <br />https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190513155635.htm#:~:text=Researchers%20have%20pinpointed%20a%20key,during%20winter%20months%3A%20low%20humidity. <br />Viruses 2016, 8, 244; doi:10.3390/v8090244<br /><br />So for you Prof, I would take care when exiting your apartment in the cold winter months as your nasal mucosa might rapidly chill and dry out (l’influenza di freddo!) and thereby become less effective at resisting infection if you then quickly transition to a crowded environment.<br /><br />I wonder in fact if one of the advantages of wearing a mask is to keep the mucosa moist and hence more effective at warding off infection.<br />P Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03951229588424591400noreply@blogger.com