Ask MetaFilter

I have several heavy cotton napkins that I think would be ideal mask material, but no sewing machine. They're about 18 inches square, and I can thread a tie through the hem by making holes in each side (pic). But I need help from there. [more inside]
posted by mefireader at 8:35 PM - 6 answers

I've always considered myself a "tired person" -- and I'm tired of it. Working from home has presented me with a wonderful, unprecedented opportunity to identify the reasons behind, and potentially correct, my daytime fatigue issues. [more inside]
posted by Anonymouse1618 at 12:48 PM - 22 answers

So my suddenly sedentary four weeks of work from home are destroying my lower back. What are you best go-to tips to alleviate discomfort and strengthen what needs strengthening in the short term given current limitations? Physical tips--especially what to do while (or before) walking--are welcome, but so is anything to deal with the mental anxieties, too. [more inside]
posted by TwoStride at 11:49 AM - 18 answers

Several times lately I have had this experience: I try something that is scary and important to me, something that would crush me if I were to fail at it. In the lead up to the thing I get super anxious, but not so much that it overwhelms me. Then when I succeed, I am so overwhelmed with relief that I start crying and vomiting. [more inside]
posted by snippet at 7:41 PM - 6 answers

I am slim, and look fit. But I have some lower back issues, and also a dodgy shoulder. I need to do specific exercise for these things, but I have never managed to motivate myself to do this every day. In fact, I find exercise incredibly boring and tedious. I want to figure out ways to integrate exercise for my back and shoulder (and perhaps everything) into my daily life. Out of the box thinking very welcome. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious at 3:45 PM - 17 answers

When I quit smoking, I was able to come up with simple phrases that encapsulated more complex issues to remind me why I was quitting, and kept me motivated. It worked for me!! Now I need this for alcohol. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:01 PM - 13 answers

Need reassurance about sudden lump under chin... [more inside]
posted by sprezzy at 9:51 AM - 8 answers

I am the proud owner of a 6 cup aluminum Bialetti coffee percolator. Italian made. I love it to death and use it everyday, but a friend recently pointed out the toxicity of aluminum and the fact that it can cause Alzheimer’s later in life. Or something. [more inside]
posted by leafmealone at 6:07 PM - 7 answers

Cut for COVID-19 content. [more inside]
posted by prewar lemonade at 9:31 AM - 9 answers

Okay I can't believe I'm asking a medical question but here we are. The lymph nodes below the jaw on either side of my neck feel big. Internet says they shouldn't be larger than a pea but they definitely are. They feel like they're both the same size. They don't feel tender. I noticed this last Tuesday. I have no other symptoms beside an off again on again headache. YANMD but: what is up here? I literally can't get this checked out right now because my doctor's office and urgent cares are closed.
posted by Automocar at 10:21 AM - 12 answers

My husband and I were given two N-95 masks by the wife of a (retired) doctor from church when C19 was barely making headlines. She said he had a couple of boxes from his practice. [more inside]
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 6:24 AM - 9 answers

There's been lots of advice for partner board games and group social meetups and work meetings online but I feel like I'm in the vacuumest vacuum in which I've ever been. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 1:54 AM - 19 answers

My partner possibly has sleep apnea. They were referred for a sleep study but those aren't being done right now due to COVID-19. Daytime sleepiness is making them miserable. What can they do at home to get some relief? [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 6:02 PM - 26 answers

Prior to coronavirus, I read about the unwisdom of giving the very aged the pneumonia vaccine because pneumonia was a far preferable way to die than many other common causes. Sir William Osler referred to pneumonia as "the old man's friend" because "taken off by it in an acute, not often painful illness, the old man escapes those 'cold gradations of decay' so distressing to himself and his friends." Pneumonia would often let you slip away in your sleep, etc. But all of the descriptions of pneumonia caused by coronavirus use phrases like "feeling like you are drowning," "suffocating to death," etc. Can you help me understand?
posted by HotToddy at 3:34 PM - 18 answers

Please help me, if you can, figure out what model running shoes I have. I need new ones and can't go in to a store to get fitted. Details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 4:06 PM - 10 answers

I have experienced sudden onset of intense spasm. upper inside corner of my right scapula. mostly when I breath too deeply or move a certain way. I have full range of motion in my arm and do not feel that my breathing is obstructed. normally I would call the advice nurse (which I am going to do) or just go in, except not a great time, is it? [more inside]
posted by supermedusa at 12:03 PM - 7 answers

I am not sure whether I should go to the dentist now, or wait. Can you help me work it out? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 8:10 AM - 7 answers

I left NYC at the end of February to help out with a family emergency. I subsequently got COVID and recovered. Should I go back to NYC? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:55 AM - 11 answers

I've read the earlier post about this issue but my situation is slightly different and I'd like an outside perspective. I'm one of the parents in the custody arrangement but I'll phrase the question as neutrally as possible to avoid bias. [more inside]
posted by mezzanayne at 11:08 PM - 22 answers

We are attempting to make our own facemasks here with a bandana. But as it says in the title I have floppy ears (I used to absently fold them all the time when I was a child) and now because of this the elastic straps don't stay on. We've created a version when it just wraps around the back on my head but it keeps slipping. Could anyone offer any tips on how to create a good fitting mask with my Bert from Sesame Street ears ?
posted by Webbster at 1:10 PM - 17 answers