# Covid and humidifiers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476>\
**Category:** The Quarantine Zone\
**Tags:** covid-quarantine\
**Created:** [November 13, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476 "2020-11-13T00:29:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476/1 "2020-11-13T00:29:55Z")

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Sigh, so I have to get tested for covid, I found out today (and I tried to get it done today, but that’s a pit thread of its own).

My question is this;. Having recieved the humidifier I ordered (air is really dry in my house this winter, nosebleed dry), is a humidifier ok to use if I do end up testing positive? Neutral? Oh Ghod what sort of Evil, Inhumane, Demonic and Selfish Asshole am I?  
Anyone know?

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**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476/2 "2020-11-13T03:33:09Z")

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> [@DorkVader](#):
>
> what sort of Evil, Inhumane, Demonic and Selfish Asshole am I?

Nope, none of those. Next question?

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**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476/3 "2020-11-13T06:21:19Z")

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Thank you Bippity🙂  
Oh and here is a virtual 🍎  
You know what they say…

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**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476/4 "2020-11-15T00:11:49Z")

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I recently read that they are telling folks to use humidifiers to help avoid getting it. Once you have it, I don’t know the answer. I am now looking through all my boxes trying to find my humidifier. Last winter, I had nosebleeds from dryness. I don’t want that again.

Best of healing to you!

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**Author:** ![pdhenry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pdhenry/32/5561_2.png) [@pdhenry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdhenry)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476/5 "2020-11-16T14:52:23Z")

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[Low humidity causes potentially COVID-bearing airborne droplets to shrink, which increases their settling time](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200818094028.htm). You should run the humidifier.

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**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-humidifiers/925476/6 "2020-11-16T18:36:51Z")

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I’m running it regardless because before humidifier a 10 minute hot shower did little other than heat up the bath room and make the air feel slightly humid. Sleeping was a dental and health risk as I’d wake with mouth and throat bone dry, and I had to water the cactus every other day