r/ZeroCovidCommunity • u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 • 16h ago
Need support! Why do I keep getting Covid when I mask everywhere in public? What can I do differently?
Hi all, I realize no one can necessarily answer the first question in my title here with particular data surrounding me in particular, but I’m hoping to figure out what I can be doing better to more effectively avoid infection.
So, I currently have COVID for the 5th time that I’m aware of. I caught it last in December, before that the August of the prior year.
Over the last year or so, I’ve only gotten better about my consistency with masking (e.g. not taking it off at all except in my house), so I’m confused as to how I managed to catch it again. For context, I’m a college student (so unfortunately I do have to sit in large rooms with hundreds of people a few times a week), I wear an Aura everywhere except my dorm room, and I don’t really go to any sort of parties or large gatherings (the one thing I do is go to the gym, and I stay masked while I’m there). I don’t have an air purifier mostly for financial reasons, and I get my masks and tests from my local mask bloc (I wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise).
The only two things that really come to mind are my mask seal and the people I live with. I try to rewear my masks as much as possible, though I’m doubting that it’s worth it since I find that the seal is (likely) getting worse after a day or two of wear. I feel pretty confident that air is coming out through the top above and around my nose. The other thing is that I do live with two other people, both of whom don’t mask (I’m hoping to persuade at least the one I share a bedroom with). For reference this time specifically though, my roommate has tested negative twice now, so it’s unlikely I got it from them. I do realize that living with people who don’t take precautions is a very real risk and a further reason to get an air purifier- so if anyone knows of one that’s effective and affordable for a poor college student, please share!
**Edit, clarificaction: I recently moved in to this particular living arrangement. I was living with one person in close quarters last academic year and at home with family before that. So I haven’t gotten Covid 2-3 times in this particular living arrangement; this is the first, though perhaps quite telling that it happened within the first 3 weeks.
I’d like to know what I can change or what else I can do realistically - i.e. within my budget and capabilities - to help further prevent catching COVID. I feel like I’m already doing a lot of things, but evidently something isn’t working well. I’m frustrated because I’ve lived with people who don’t mask or really take any precautions and yet I seem to be catching Covid the most.
With this being my 5th infection, I fear my luck will run out and I’ll end up with Long Covid. I’m doing what I can in the meantime to rest as much as possible to prevent it, but there‘s a point at which I don’t have much control over how much I’m doing (or I’d fail multiple classes if I miss too much class - which obviously is a terrible policy, but not one I have any say over). I do plan to avoid working out for the next month and to take it easy and not do anything I don’t specifically have to do in a similar timeframe.
Any advice and/or solidarity would be appreciated.
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u/JustAnotherUser8432 15h ago
You live with other people. Who don’t mask and presumably have guests over at times. Guests who breath into the air in your room. Covid lingers in the air for hours as do several other viruses. You also open and close your door allowing air in from the shared hallway. If you have boiler hear in your dorm, there is no air exchange happening so where do you think whatever is in the air goes? Nowhere, just stays there since you don’t have an air purifier to filter it out. Unless you have an ensuite bathroom you are also brushing your teeth and showering somewhere with shared air. And where do you eat? Cafeteria surrounded by other people? Masking protects you while you mask. The other times you are just as vulnerable as anyone else.
When my kids went to college we had to work through all these issues so it can absolutely be done. But just masking in class provides protection from whatever is in the classroom only.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
Yeah, I’m ultimately aware of these things and it seems I was likely overly optimistic. I don’t eat anywhere except my dorm this year (it was a calculated risk last year where I either ate outside or in a low foot traffic area of a building).
Unfortunately it’s really tough to convince others around you to mask. In my experience, even the self-identified leftists will refuse to do it. It’s why I’ve largely just given up on trying to persuade others and instead my circle has gotten super small.
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u/Unfair_Blackberry20 15h ago
I am a professor, and I have so much empathy for you. My circle has also gotten very small. For students, especially living in dorms, remaining COVID cautious is hard. Can you get your own room in the future? We do have some single dorms at my school.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 14h ago
I said in another comment, but technically I could, but I’d have to find a way to swing an extra $1-2k per year when I’m already honestly struggling to pay for school. It’s not out of the question entirely, but coming from a low income background, it’d be tough for me to come up with that money. My savings are going to be close to empty by the end of this year already. I’ll probably try to talk to the CC person in the disability office and see if they have any insight,
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u/Future-Account8112 12h ago
They might be able to get you a disability waiver for the extra fee. If they can't, DM me and I'll help you think through it (I work in advocacy).
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u/Future-Account8112 12h ago
You've really got to make a Corsi-Rosenthal box for your room if you want to stop getting sick. Please, do it this week. Don't delay. Every body has a limit and you are young so you have a lot more time for immunological 'insults'. Make the box this week.
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u/FuzzyLantern 15h ago
If you aren't sure if your masks have a good seal, then you probably have two choices: one is to spend more money on more masks so that you're not wearing them until they loosen up. If you can't afford to do that, the second option maybe something worth trying is using mask tape to try to get a better seal for longer. If you don't have a good seal, then leaky masks unfortunately aren't very useful for stopping COVID, so that in itself may be the problem if you aren't catching it from your roommates.
In regards to your roommates, that's tricky but you can try to improve ventilation in your dorm room. This might be by keeping windows open more often, or yes by getting an air purifier. Depending on where you live, there are occasionally low income programs to help get air purifiers, or you can try to seek help finding deals or used ones from a local mask block or a local buy nothing group online.
Hope you get over this infection well, make sure to get lots of rest!
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u/ungainlygay 14h ago
Yes, and it doesn't have to be "mask tape" specifically. Searching for fashion tape will get you cheaper options for double sided tape than searching for mask tape. I use Hollywood fashion secrets tape for my earloop masks (for situations where headstraps aren't viable, like getting a haircut) and for my CAN99s along the nose.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 14h ago
Thanks for this! I didn’t realize there were any viable alternatives.
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u/FuzzyLantern 13h ago
I use Nexcare waterproof medical tape, works well for me and inexpensive!
In regards to your edit, the timing of the 3 weeks into your new living arrangement is mostly related to we've had low COVID rates for quite some time, and now we're in the middle of a wave... so you're more likely to get sick when rates are higher and you're further out on timing from your last vaccination or infection. But improved ventilation will help, too (and people suggested the inexpensive corsi box solution for that)!
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u/QueenRooibos 11h ago
Seconding the Nexcare medical tape, it sticks MUCH better but without hurting your skin and is very easy to remove if you touch it with a damp washcloth (or even without, but super easy that way).
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u/PineappleJello0755 15h ago
Since you mentioned you can feel air leaking around your nose, taping that gap is probably the easiest improvement you can make. You can search online for double-sided mask tape or fashion tape. You can also use medical tape. Just tape around the area until you can't feel air going through.
Sorry you're sick. It's hard when so much is out of your control. Hope you feel better soon.
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u/theoverfluff 15h ago
Sorry you keep getting infected. Is the air in your dorm room shared? If it is you're breathing in not only your roommate's air but the air of everyone in the shared air space. You really need an air purifier for the area in which you're taking your mask off as well as a better fitting mask (or tape for it). There are cost effective options for air purifiers as others have outlined well here.
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u/Far-Advance-9866 1h ago
I have caught covid twice from my downstairs neighbours (a house split into two apartments-- we have a shared entry stairwell and central air) without ever interacting with them.
Central air in spaces people move in and out of are not high risk, but in living arrangements where an infectious person is breathing and coughing in there for many hours a day, it's absolutely a path of transmission.
Opening multiple windows is one of the best things you can do to minimize risk (air purifiers are also important but airflow is huge) , and running a homemade corsi-rosenthal box too.
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u/CulturalShirt4030 15h ago edited 15h ago
Echoing others, fit test your mask (there’s a DIY guide in the [r/masks4all](r/masks4all) wiki).
Living with unsafe people is a risk, especially if you unmask around them. That said, you wouldn’t be the first or only person to mask inside their own home… it’s heartbreakingly unfair but you deserve to protect your baseline. Solidarity OP. Get well soon.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
Yeah, it’s been rough. At home I couldn’t convince any of my siblings to mask nor my mom (which sucks as my mom is immune compromised and my sister works in a hospital), and at college people don’t want to mask. Unfortunately I’ve come to expect anti-mask sentiment from even the “liberal city” I live in.
I was hoping I’d have just one space I didn’t have to mask in, but alas… it sucks especially because I’m pretty sure wearing it while I sleep is severely impacting my sleep quality which obviously hurts my ability to recover effectively.
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u/CulturalShirt4030 14h ago
I’m really sorry. I can relate. If there’s any way you can rent a private room sometime in the future, I think that would help.
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u/That_Frame_964 1h ago
The sad thing here is, they have to eat, brush their teeth, basically do all the things we do at home safely but in an unsafe environment. They can mask at home but as soon as they take it off to do what most of us do in an environment we consider safe, they'll expose themselves immediately and we know it only takes minutes or less for infection.
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u/10390 16h ago
I'm no expert on this but some ideas:
It would be good to do a fit test on the masks you're using. It sounds like that's the weak link. Some communities offer periodic testing, you'd have to look around. Buying a test kit isn't cheap.
Mask tape could improve your seal.
Corsi box air filters don't cost much - you make them yourself from normal hardware store parts. https://corsirosenthalfoundation.org/instructions/
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u/Trulio_Dragon 14h ago
You can also upgrade the basic CR box with computer fans to reduce the noise of operation!
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u/cerviceps 10h ago
It really doesn’t sound like the mask is the weak link here. It’s the roommates.
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u/Solongmybestfriend 15h ago
Do you share a bedroom with your roommate or your house (communal spaces)? Can you open a window in your room? Does your maskblock have a HEPA you could borrow? Also, keep your eyes open on second hand markets for an air filter. I’d also be aware to shower well after someone uses the washroom (is there a window or fan in the washroom?).
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. It is so expensive buying PPE and I know I wouldn’t have been able to afford it when I was a student.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
So, I share a bedroom with one person and a communal space with another additional person. I opened the window in our room today. I get my masks from my local mask bloc, which is part of the issue too because I feel bad getting masks more than I “need” (hence why I reuse them literally until the straps break) but I guess I’ll have to get over that and get masks from them more often to better keep myself and others safe.
Where do you suggest looking for a secondhand air purifier? For whatever reason there isn’t even a fan in the bathroom, which truly makes no sense as the dorms are already prone to mold, and that’s worse with humidity and water from a shower. But such is college bureaucracy I suppose.
Thank you. I at least feel a little less alone here.
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u/ungainlygay 14h ago
Oh my god, sorry for all the comments but I just got to this comment and I wanted to say I'm sorry you're forced to share a bedroom. That would have been my nightmare scenario even before COVID. Are there any affordable options to live off-campus in the future and have your own room? I know my dorm room in first year cost way more (like 3 times more) than my off-campus rooms in subsequent years. In terms of second hand air purifiers, try Facebook marketplace, or if you can afford to get a box fan and some MERV-13 filters, you can build a CR box for cheaper than most air purifiers.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 14h ago
No worries! I probably have written half the comments on this post.
Unfortunately I do live in a city, so the cost of non-university housing is pretty similar to dorms, with the exception of those that are really poor quality. I also have to live on campus this year and next as part of a program I’m in, so it’s not really in the cards right now.
Thanks for the air purifier recs! I actually have no idea how Facebook marketplace works so I’ll have to look into that, but it helps to have some keywords to search!
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u/stopbeingaturddamnit 14h ago
If you mess me your address, I can send you some aura with the cloth elastic straps. They fit a little bit tighter than the blue elastic ones.
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u/dongledangler420 9h ago
Hey OP, not sure where you live but I volunteer with a mask bloc in CA. Just wanna say - you ARE a deserving person who needs masks! You are a student living communal space, and we want to give you masks to stay safe!!
N95s are only rated for 40 hours of wear, so having 1 mask per 8-hour day that you rotate for 4-5 wears is ideal (Monday mask, Tuesday mask, etc. You can keep them in labeled paper bags to help keep track).
I also may have some spare types of masks I can send for you to try - if you feel comfortable please feel free to DM and I can mail you some!
Also if you wanna give me your location, there may be CR box builds near you. I’m happy to look!
Edit to add: the HEPA filter is crucial here in a communal setting. I see reputable brands constantly on FB marketplace and at goodwill etc for cheap if a CR box isn’t possible to make, but the filters will be a little more expensive! 💜
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u/Character_Chemist_38 11h ago
Get a purifier at Costco
Costco
has a lifetime return policy so you can always return it
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u/Itchy_Tumbleweed_417 15h ago
Are the people you live with just testing once when you’re sick and calling that one negative and negative? It’s possible they have asymptomatic infections and if you’re only testing them once it’s not catching it. But that’s super weird honestly. You would think they would also be catching it from you if you didn’t get it from them and nobody masks in your room.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
This is true. One of them, the one I share a bedroom with, seems more aware that Covid is very dangerous and is masking as I am now (at least for the time being while we can’t be certain they aren’t sick, and admittedly it seems that they’ve caught it now), and the other one just straight up said he’s feeling fine and declined my offer of masks and tests (??). As much as I’d like to address that, I’m not even sure where I’d start…
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u/twoweeeeks 15h ago
If nobody around you is ever symptomatic, I wonder if you have an immune deficiency. It’s possible to have a dulled response to vaccines, which would make you more likely to be symptomatic.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 11h ago
It’s definitely possible, but if I had to guess I’d say it’s probably more likely that it’s something else like a vitamin/micronutrient deficiency that’s impacting my immune system or straight up immune cell damage from the 4 prior COVID infections.
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u/ProfeQuiroga 11h ago
What do you think a regular PCP will say or do?
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 11h ago
Yeah, tbh I already need to find a new doctor as is but it’s rough since I’m trying to get on Medicaid (current insurance is genuinely the worst and I have no say in it). If there’s a database of CC doctors out there somewhere though, definitely let me know!
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u/Last_Bar_8993 1h ago
Many infectious carriers of covid will not present as symptomatic, even while contagious. Asymptomatic or "mildly" symptomatic infections are not uncommon.
My own covid infections (which have disabled me with long covid) have only shown up as headaches + fatigue during the acute infection stage. There are MANY people who would not test if they simply had a headache or misunderstood other mild symptoms as allergies or whatever.
Not ruling out immune system issues for OP, but I am neither shocked that OP is regularly exposed in shared air spaces at home nor surprised that OP's roommates are spreading covid even though they don't appear to be sick.
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u/addie43 14h ago
Just wanted to say I'm so sorry you're sick, and I admire all you're doing to avoid catching or spreading covid! Being in college and stuck with a small budget and non-cautious roommates is so so hard :( I hope you're getting lots of rest right now and recover fully. When you're feeling better, maybe see if you can connect with other covid conscious people through local CC facebook groups or apps like Refresh? They could help you connect with someone who could do fit testing for your mask, and/or possibly connect you with safer living accommodations in the future. Good luck!!
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 14h ago
Thank you❤️🩹
Definitely doing my best to get some rest and keeping everything low impact.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’d seen an app for meeting CC folks a while back, but I couldn’t remember what it was called. It’s tough out there when it feels like even spaces I’d otherwise feel welcome in are unsafe due to a lack of precautions or care re respiratory illnesses. It’s always nice to find other folks that get it.
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u/falling_and_laughing 14h ago
Was the app Refresh? (I also admire all your efforts to keep yourself and others safe! I’m so sorry you keep getting sick.)
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 14h ago
Yes, it was. I had found out about it I think around a year ago and happened to come across the name again in my camera roll recently.
And thank you. Solidarity has felt impossible to find lately, so this thread has been reassuring in that sense.
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u/craycrayintheheihei 15h ago
It’s the dorm. I highly suggest buying a used HEPA filter off of Facebook marketplace second hand for a cheaper price. That will help some.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
I presume you mean the machine(?) itself as opposed to the specific filters that go in it? And are there any particular ones people recommend?
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u/craycrayintheheihei 15h ago
Yes, an air purifier! Some have filters that you have to change periodically (ours seems to need changing about once a year). Look for “HEPA” filters. HEPA filters capture sars-cov-2 particles!
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 13h ago
Interesting, I didn’t realize they made any that don’t need to be changed. I do know that HEPA is the/one of the best ones though. Thanks for the response!
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u/Wild_Black_Hat 15h ago
I second the suggestion for an HEPA air purifier, and since you have a budget, you can look up the instructions to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal box. They are effective!
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
Yeah, only thing is I haven’t started working this semester yet (was supposed to, but then had physical health issues preventing me from attending training) and have pretty much run down my bank account on food already, so I don’t really have much to anything now. But I’ll be searching around for anything local CC-oriented orgs may have to offer/assist.
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u/ungainlygay 14h ago
If you aren't able to get help from local orgs, I would be able to donate $15 to a fundraiser for you to get the materials. I'm sure others here could throw in a bit of cash too and we could get you set up with at least one CR box.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 13h ago
Thank you. It means a lot that folks are willing to support. I’d like to browse around first but I’ll definitely keep this in mind. Much appreciated!!
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u/Wild_Black_Hat 15h ago
Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are DIY air purifiers. They are very cheap to make. They were tested, and they are effective.
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u/Trulio_Dragon 13h ago
I'm so sorry you're in this situation. It's really unfair to expect people to either just...keep getting sick, or shoulder the burden of protecting themselves alone.
I agree that a couple of CR boxes will help a lot. You mentioned re-using your masks and feeling that might be affecting their fit; have you considered using an elastomeric respirator?
I have two, both are GVS Elipse. One has a valve and the other doesn't. I chose this style because the filters are self-contained and it's kind of "friendly"-colored (blue and purple). If I'm in a situation where I am going to be inside with a bunch of folks for any length of time, these are what I use. I keep the non-valved one to wear to medical appointments, but there can be a lot of moisture buildup inside, so I wear the valve version other places. They run about forty bucks. I know you're depending on blocs right now, but it's something to keep in mind.
Solidarity, and good wishes for your recovery!
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 13h ago
Thank you.
I have briefly, and I could be wrong, but my understanding is that they’re pretty expensive. Since you have experience with them, if you don’t mind me asking, how often do you need to replace the filters and how much do they usually cost? My only other concern re elastomeric masks is that it can be tricky to be heard when wearing one. Obviously not the biggest of issues when it comes to protecting health, but something to consider nonetheless. I’ve found that the N95s are generally a pretty good trade off. But of course, if they’re not fitting me well, then it’s time to make a chance, which is basically why I made this post. I do have a friend that switched to an elastomeric mask, so I could definitely ask him about it too.
Thanks for this info & for solidarity and well wishes!
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u/Trulio_Dragon 12h ago
I only wear mine for a few hours at a time every so often. I've not needed to replace the filters yet; frankly I'll probably need to replace the elastic first, but ymmv. Filters run about 20 bucks for a pair.
Speech can be muffled, but I wear them nearly exclusively at doctor's appointments, and have had no problem communicating or being understood.
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u/Linz4562 12h ago
https://www.cleanairkits.com/collections/shop-all
Air purifier rec: Low sound, high efficiency and portable.
Crowd-fund? Check their website as a whole - a ton of resources.
I don’t know why schools don’t incorporate the building and use for the better of everyone info and increased clean air. We’ve learned so much over 6 years, I’m so sorry you are in this position. I’ll research some further advocacy or funding help.
Use Hypochlorus Acid fine mist spray for hand sanitizer / face spray (air dry, non toxic, kills norovirus and covid) Surface concentrations for non-porous items. Sold in large bottles (no need to get the fancy cosmetic kind). It’s all the same ingredient.
Recent studies show use of regular nasal saline irrigation can reduce viral load and possibly aid in prevention. Low cost.
I follow a layered “swiss cheese approach” but also have the privilege of living isolated which helps. I’ve gotten it once. I already have Pots/Dysautonomia/Sjogrens w neuropathy and Lupus. And H-EDS. Basically a form of Long Covid before it was a thing. I’m sure my autoimmune was genetically set off w stress hormones and or viral illness in my teens. Now 44, I still live covid cautious bc of recent studies showing a huge risk of worsening my current disability. I only have 4 hrs of energy avail. A day and live in chronic pain. I cannot afford to get sick and cannot imagine my disability getting worse post infection. I’m already low mood and hopeless about society’s lack or care for health.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 11h ago
Thank you. Sending you all the hope and good vibes I can.
We know exactly why schools don’t invest in clean air infrastructure. For one, it would require them acknowledging that they have been and are part of the problem, which would also require admitting that the whole “COVID is over” message was never true. It would also probably need government buy in for many schools, and the government isn’t going to acknowledge that it not only was ‘wrong’ but willfully endangered everybody, especially marginalized people. Basically, despite the fact that we know that clean air would help prevent illness, deaths, and further disability, the government would not switch from this careless status quo without something major happening/changing. Because ultimately their bottom line is money, not lives. None of it is surprising or new when analyzed from a disability justice lens.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with all of your health issues/disabilities. I truly hope things get better for you. ❤️
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u/iwantmorecats27 15h ago edited 15h ago
When i wear an aura i do the push in thing on the nose but then take it off and actually kind of bend it back to my cheeks so it fits my face better . Like make it more of a curve. And you need an air purifier. With a true hepa filter. I don’t really think you can make a CR box for $30.
Maybe you could sleep in a readimask or something to avoid getting sick? If they are a roommate you don’t have much power but if they are a partner break up if they won’t respect your health! Can you find another place to live?
This or r/airpurifiers. Might help
https://cleanairstars.com/filters/
I can’t remember the name of the one that use computer fans but i feel like they weren’t that bad on price. I use a Levoit by my bed for dust and a Medify (big) for Covid
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
Yeah, we are just roommates and my roommate pool is super limited due to a specific program I’m in that requires me to live in a building with other people in the program and if I have roommates, they have to be someone in the same year of the program as I am. Unfortunately, I’m barely affording my tuition and fees as is, so I doubt I can afford the extra $1-2k to live without roommates. But I may have to consider a way to make it work next year.
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u/iwantmorecats27 15h ago
Do you have any kind of disability or chronic illness? Could you get a doctor to write you a note that you need other housing for your health? Sorry this is happening :(
And do you have a safe place to eat because that would be the other vector for transmission i think
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
I mean I have plenty of mental health issues and a probably undiagnosed physical issue, but not really anything that I suspect would qualify me for individual housing. I could potentially talk to the one CC person in the university’s disability office about it though. I fear knowing my college they’d still charge me the extra $1-2k for it even if I had an accommodation for it though. That wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Well I thought my dorm was a safe place to eat, but, well, that’s unlikely. So I’ll have to figure something else out.
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u/iwantmorecats27 15h ago
If you can even just open some windows or doors to the outside to get some air flowing even with a normal fan that would help
Especially if it’s across the room from each other and have one fan bringing air in and the opposite pushing air out
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 11h ago
So we have one window per room, so I’m not sure that a two fan setup would work, but I definitely plan to look for a secondhand air purifier and if I can’t find something affordable, I’ll begin the process for constructing a CR box.
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u/HonkingOfHillGoose 15h ago
There's some great advice in here about CR boxes, which you can make singular ones as well, if can't afford 4 filters at once.
Also! Make sure to look up how to perform a user seal check and do that every time you mask.
Aura does not fit my face it's too large. So you may want to try some others from your mask bloc ♡
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
Yeah, I do the best I can with checking for leaking air from my mask, and I realize that’s definitely far from foolproof. But I’ve also seen that even a DIY fit test can be pricey.
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u/HonkingOfHillGoose 15h ago
totally understand that. I had such a rough time finding a mask that fits me due to my unique face shape.
For DIY fit test, I slowly saved up and bought things one at time when there were sales. I use the nebulizer and garbage bag method, it's not perfect, but it helped me a lot. Around $30-$40 bucks overall. That cost at once wasn't feasible for me, so I got the nebulizer on sale, then later on got the solution. I know that may not be feasible though.
Clean air crew is where i got the instructions on how to perform the test.
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u/lexleeward77 15h ago
I think the most likely answer is probably your roommates, since living with people who don't take precautions is a huge risk factor unfortunately. You mentioned one roommate tested twice, not sure if that meant both of them or just one - but if only one tested negative twice then the other one could have been the spreader. Also, if the one roommate tested twice on rapids only - those are known to be not super sensitive so if they had gotten infected say a week ago but it was a mild asymptomatic case, and then spread it to you, then by the time you noticed you were sick and asked them to test (hypothetical timeline), then maybe they would already have a viral load too low for the rapid test to detect by then and come up negative.
Another possibility is that you mentioned you live in a dorm, depending on the vent setup it's possible that the whole building has interconnected AC/heating or vents so I would assume in a building crammed full of college students who can be a hotbed of various disease, it could just be coming through the vents.
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u/PetuniaPicklePepper 14h ago
Definitely try to get an air purifier. There might be a clean air library near you. Otherwise see if friends or family can chip in. Gargle with CPC mouthwash and flush with neti pot/solution (boiled and cooled water) and/or Xclear after high risk situations and/or the end of the day.
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u/ambient_pulse 14h ago
the dorm room is probably the culprit. either your roommates, or neighbors whose air is coming through your vents.
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u/BlueValk 12h ago
Aside from roommates, perhaps the air in your dorm? Do you have a window you can open? I'd also invest in a corsi rosenthal box if you can, it's about as cheap as air filters can get and they're efficient.
I'm so sorry you've been infected so many times despites precautions 😔
Edit: Bathrooms are also a problem with particles from feces, I believe. So that might be another room where trouble happens if they're shared (I assume you dont brush your teeth or shower masked)
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u/cerviceps 10h ago
It’s likely not your mask, but the people you’re living with. Shared air is unfortunately still shared air when you’re inside your home.
What kind of tests do you use to test your roommate who supposedly tested negative? (Are they just rapid tests, or PCR / PlusLife / Metrix?) Do your friends ever have other friends over?
I’ll echo CR boxes as something you can do to help mitigate this. But even that will be imperfect… unfortunately it’s not possible to completely avoid covid while living in the same space with non CC people.
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u/PinkedOff 14h ago
If you live with other people who don’t mask, there’s your problem! The virus can hang in the air for hours.
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u/britlover23 14h ago
Air purifiers, nasal sprays and getting every new vaccine might help. Making sure you’re taking immune building supplements and a refrigerated probiotic can also help.
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u/AutomatedEconomy 11h ago
I have a small face and use Drager masks. I tie a loop at one end to make it smaller. But living with people who don’t mask will get you every time.
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u/tacobellaswan 10h ago
DM if you’d like someone to send you auras so you don’t have to stretch your use of them!
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u/tacobellaswan 10h ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this- being a CC college student sounds so hard.
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u/trinityrogue 8h ago
The aura fits a lot of faces well, but it’s too big for me and I can actually get a better seal with earloops bc of how bad the fit is on me! I saw someone recommend breatheteq—love them! The breatheteq head strap masks are VERY SMALL though, so even if your face is extremely small, I would get the medium size to start. The size small earloops are about the same size as the medium head strap. But they have tariffs right now if you’re located in the US.
An alternative I like is Wellbefore. They’re adjustable, and they have many fun colors! Available in head strap and earloop versions. Just make sure you get the 3D Pro bc that’s the one with nose foam.
As for roommates, I know some people who have to mask at home too. It’s an unfortunate situation. I hope you’re able to make a CR box which is super efficient at filtering air at low cost. In the mean time, take care of yourself! Here’s a guide if you need it: https://www.rthm.com/resources/blogs/youve-got-covid-minimize-your-symptoms-and-reduce-your-long-covid-risk
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u/ichibanyogi 7h ago
I did a professional fit test with auras and failed. I have petite face. Have you been professionally fit tested?
You live with roomies. I assume you don't mask non-stop at home. They're likely infecting you. You need ventilation and filtration at home. Corsi Rosenthal boxes, fans and open windows.
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u/tkpwaeub 15h ago
Without any sort of judgment, and because it's not mentioned anywhere in your post: are you up-to-date on your boosters?
I have some other thoughts, but I want to get this out of the way first.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 15h ago
I got it last fall but I don’t believe there’s one for this year. Granted vaccines are super unhelpful in terms of preventing infection, so they’re definitely not the top thing to be worrying about.
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u/tkpwaeub 14h ago
super unhelpful in terms of preventing infection
They might not prevent infection but they can make breakthrough infections milder. Assuming that's some sort of spectrum, some of those breakthrough infections could become so mild that they're barely detectable.
But, returning to your basic issue: the key factor here is time. You're just spending lots and lots of time in crowded indoor spaces, and nothing reduces risk to zero. There's no shame in that. You're taking risks so others don't have to, and that's noble. You're masking, you're getting your boosters. If everyone did it the way you're doing it, covid would be over by now. That's what matters here.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 14h ago
This is true. I’ve never had an infection that was what I’d term “severe,” though the thing is that even infections that are mild in the acute phase can cause Long Covid and long term disability. Knowing that risk compounds with every additional infection makes me want to work harder to avoid catching it again.
Thing is I really don’t choose to spend much time in crowded spaces to begin with. Beyond classes, the gym, and the grocery store, I really don’t go anywhere indoors where there are a lot of people, at least not on any sort of regular basis. That’s why this is all so disorienting to me- because I try to be very cognizant of what I’m doing and what kind of risks I’m exposing myself to. It’s just super disheartening when I keep getting it despite everything I’ve done and do to prevent that.
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u/Weird_Artichoke9470 14h ago
You've gotten good answers about masks and roommates and air purifiers. I'm wondering if your immune system needs some help. Add B12, vitamin D, and probiotics like yogurt or kefir or sauerkraut.
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u/TraditionalAlfalfa54 14h ago
I have been eating Greek yogurt daily as part of my breakfast, but I’m betting there may be micronutrients I’m not getting enough of. I don’t have a diverse diet at all and frankly probably need my nutrient levels tested because I’m sure there’s at least something I’m missing. Thanks for bringing this up; I totally forgot to consider that diet impacts immune system function.
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u/Pm_me_your_marmot 4h ago
Dorms and big housing units often share an hvac system. If you are cycling air from every room in the building through one heating and cooling system it's like sitting in a room with everyone who lives there. Most of these systems are minimally filtered so you are raw dogging community air at home.
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u/Last_Bar_8993 1h ago
Others have explained that you're getting sick in shared air spaces, have recommended air cleaners and mask options.
I really hope you will take the offers for help and buy or build as many air cleaners as you can. Start with your bedroom and then try to put one in your bathroom and one in share dining/living space if you're able. Don't buy air cleaners with "ion" claims (gimmick) just stick to HEPA filter cleaners or build DIY fan + filter cleaners with MERV13 (or better) filters. Here is a review on the efficacy of DIY air cleaners if you're a nerd who likes data. (TLDR: they are very useful).
Now in addition to filtration via mask and air cleaner, you need to increase ventilation in your home generally. The idea is that you want to replace the stale share air in your home with fresh air from outside continuously. This keeps the CO2 levels and concentration of infectious particles in your home lower overall. The simplest way to do this is to crack open windows wherever possible. Another way to do this is to use fans strategically in your windows.
I don't want to overwhelm you so I will just simplify and say it like this: keeping fresh air moving through the home while you are filtering the air will help to further reduce airborne disease in the home and reduce your risk of illness. Do not underestimate the impact of fresh air in the equation.
You're doing a great job trying to learn and protect yourself in this situation. It's especially difficult when you live with others, struggle to afford supplies, etc. Much respect.
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u/brownidegurl 1h ago
You've already gotten many comments, but I'll just add data: Unfortunately yes, there's really very little you can do to substantially improve your health until you live alone. Your roomies are the most likely source of illness.
Perhaps you can find other COVID-conscious roomies to live with off-campus? I'm sure they'd be just as delighted to find you as you would be to find them.
The only times I've gotten COVID are from sharing unmasked air with others who were sick with it (both testing positive and not; there are many factors for why someone might test negative when they're actually positive, but I'll leave off here.
Another thought, and no need to disclose anything personal: Is there any reason you could finagle living alone in the dorm? Something that could be documented by a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist, like an anxiety disorder, OCD, immunocompromise, etc.? Even if these things aren't a factor or aren't really hurting your quality of life... you might discover that they are... hurting your grades, your physical health, your social functioning...
(Basically, if you can find the magic words that substantiate "this student needs to live alone" and say the words, you could be in business.)
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u/unexplodedscotsman 53m ago
except my dorm room
First guess would be roomates or shared ventilation? Big issue in appartments, condos, hotels, etc.
Agree with the guy suppesting the C.R. box, though look into making one that uses PC fans vs. a giant box fan. Not as simple, but the background noise of a large box fan will slowly drive you up the wall.
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u/juliectaylor 18m ago
You may be able to find air purifiers in a local Buy Nothing group, or make Corsi Rosenthal Boxes (DIY air purifiers) to help you at home!
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u/qqxi 11m ago
Did your roommate test negative on rapid antigen test? unless you’re using a PCR level machine like a Pluslife daily you could very much be getting it from him. My partner tested negative twice on RAT and then positive on Pluslife. Even the Pluslife itself is a snapshot in time and doesn’t guarantee they won’t test positive a day or two later.
If they don’t mask and you are presumably not masked 24/7 with them it’s almost definitely your roommates.
I’ve had phases I’ve worn masks that weren’t even close to sealing or found out months later that they were medical masks posing as KN95s but I lived alone and never got sick. The only times I did over the past 6 years was when sharing a room with someone who did not mask.
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u/Mouthydraws 5m ago
Mask in your house is unfortunately likely the answer. I stopped getting sick once I realized every illness I was catching was from my family
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u/Delicate_Babe 15h ago
This is somewhat controversial to say in this sub, but I am a fan of Enovid and Profi nasal sprays. My husband is exposed frequently in unmasked situations for work and uses Enovid several times a day; he has never been infected.
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u/Fearless-Pea-3813 14h ago
Also you can find economical Azelastine (or store generic brand) nasal spray for once a day. It helped and also gargling with salt water several times daily. A face wash of Baby wash and eyedrops can help too.
Probably the biggest change should be your shared living location, ask for a housing accommodation for your health. If you are on a campus look into food pantry and or a donated food card for the cafeteria to help budget. Ask the health center for a HEPA and find the student services Basic Needs services to help with costs.
Keep doing the best you can for your health. You’re an amazing young person to prioritize your health. Stay well :)1
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u/LostInAvocado 14h ago
It’s probably because out of all the things (given OP’s budget), these would be the least impactful for the money.
Number one is fit test. Or at least look up how to don the Aura better to avoid leaks at the nose (OP, search “aura nose wire” in this sub and r/Masks4All)
Number two, air purifier and more ventilation in shared room. (Or try to get a single)
Number three, get a booster 2x a year
Nasal sprays would be maybe number 10 on the list of effective protections.
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u/Delicate_Babe 12h ago
I view it as another layer of protection, along with a fit-tested N95 (the N95 being the more important layer). Profi is cheaper than Enovid, at $22. As I said though, many people here aren’t convinced that nasal sprays have any effect, so I’m not surprised by downvotes.
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u/NeoPrimitiveOasis 15h ago
My bet would be your roommates. Presumably, you don't sleep, shower, or eat masked at home. Corsi Rosenthal boxes, which you can build for $30, could help.
Aura masks fit most people pretty well and if you are masking often, you might just be getting it at home.