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I'd just like to clarify that blood oxygen levels is not what makes you feel like you can't breathe. It's the amount of CO2 in the blood that's the issue. The f

I'd just like to clarify that blood oxygen levels is not what makes you feel like you can't breathe. It's the amount of CO2 in the blood that's the issue. The first tweet addresses this point though. I'm not entirely convinced by the test shown though. Doing a similar test while doing light exercise would be more convincing. Another important factor to consider is that people breathe differently. Some people breathe more through their nose, others through their mouth. Maybe this can have an effect? Then there's also the fact that some people can take much stronger breaths (pulmonologists are always disappointed by my spirometry test results). Mask wearing is important, but it doesn't feel right to just dismiss the reports that some people have more difficulty breathing with masks just because it doesn't happen to me.

fzeroracer 6y ago
My mother who has severe issues maintaining her oxygen levels and has to be on oxygen while she sleeps wears a mask while she's out and about fine. I'm guessing the issues people face is less about the masks and more about the sensation of wearing a mask which spikes anxiety levels and causes the sensation of being unable to breath. If Japan can reach near ubiquitous levels of mask wearing without issues especially given their larger elderly population, I'm sure they'll be fine. Otherwise if they have an actual medical issue that prevents wearing a mask then by all means.
- brigandish 6y ago
  > My mother who has severe issues maintaining her oxygen levels and has to be on oxygen while she sleeps wears a mask while she's out and about fine. "It works for me" or whichever other anecdote is given to dismiss a valid complaint has never held any water and never will. > If Japan can reach near ubiquitous levels of mask wearing without issues especially given their larger elderly population, I'm sure they'll be fine. Masks aren't fun to wear, I was out in one yesterday in Japan and my wife, who is Japanese and has worn a mask long before this pandemic was a glint in a bat's eye, was complaining about being out of breath and uncomfortable. They're well known for being uncomfortable even in the winter, and they have plenty of negatives beyond that. Besides, if you saw the way people wore masks in Japan you'd never use it in an argument.

fzeroracer 6y ago

My mother who has severe issues maintaining her oxygen levels and has to be on oxygen while she sleeps wears a mask while she's out and about fine. I'm guessing the issues people face is less about the masks and more about the sensation of wearing a mask which spikes anxiety levels and causes the sensation of being unable to breath. If Japan can reach near ubiquitous levels of mask wearing without issues especially given their larger elderly population, I'm sure they'll be fine. Otherwise if they have an actual medical issue that prevents wearing a mask then by all means.

brigandish 6y ago
> My mother who has severe issues maintaining her oxygen levels and has to be on oxygen while she sleeps wears a mask while she's out and about fine. "It works for me" or whichever other anecdote is given to dismiss a valid complaint has never held any water and never will. > If Japan can reach near ubiquitous levels of mask wearing without issues especially given their larger elderly population, I'm sure they'll be fine. Masks aren't fun to wear, I was out in one yesterday in Japan and my wife, who is Japanese and has worn a mask long before this pandemic was a glint in a bat's eye, was complaining about being out of breath and uncomfortable. They're well known for being uncomfortable even in the winter, and they have plenty of negatives beyond that. Besides, if you saw the way people wore masks in Japan you'd never use it in an argument.