20
did anyone else remove mask since pandemic and realize people all stink? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by to c/autism@lemmy.world
11 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

i think i stink too but I'm used to my own smell.

but it took me a long time to realize smelling others' (mostly strangers') breath and b.o. has been causing me background stress and using up my spoons, probably since birth.

especially if someone acts insensitive or straight up assholian, even breathing the same air as them feels demeaning and like defeat.

so I'm finding it hard to take my mask off permanently (or semi-perm) even though i have all the vaccines that medicine allows.

the problem is that i can barely breathe with n95 (or kn95) and it makes everything physically hard. but not wearing it makes everything mentally harder.....

should i talk to my therapist about it? med Dr? or both?

edit: forgot to mention, cologne/perfume, lotion, fabric softener, etc also bother me. certain shampoos seem ok, i don't know why. sandalwood (like east Asian incense) is ok too.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 2 points 4 days ago*

covid vaccines mostly help reduce the gravity of an infection and mortality, but they don't do much in terms of protecting you from long covid (which you can get even with an asymptomatic infection, and each infection makes it more likely)

FFP2/N95 and comparable masks (and ventilation technically but cleaner air is something society has given up on) are what helps prevent spread on either side

fwiw mask quality can vary (especially if you only get the absolute cheapest ones), and some are more breathable/comfortable than others

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •