Data Report

Why has early pollen been so bad this year in the Carolinas?
A cold end to winter, combined with a surge of March warmth, has allowed for many trees to pollinate at the same time.

LINK:
https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/early-pollen-allergies-extreme-charlotte-north-carolina/275-e5d66630-b069-4ff8-a88c-8f565d3fdb2d

COMMENT:
Bam! I just got hit with some allergies overnight! For me it was just a runny nose and little headache all night! Could be worse.. just took a antihistamine and decongestant... I wear a mask all the time outside but that certainly didn't keep allergies from getting me through my clothes or seeping into home somehow!

Factors for me:
Spent the whole day outside yesterday even though I masked
Didn't have air purifiers ready (So I cleaned filters for air purifiers and air conditioners and turned them on so that seems better)
Maybe I didn't wash some of the clothes I had worn all day outside yesterday  (now I'm washing them)
Maybe my diet of cheese and whole milk yesterday didn't help

Ive had this happen a few times to me and usually if I limit my time outside when pollen count is up and throw my clothes in the washer and shower right away, then my allergies go away in about 24 hours..

...we shall see if I'm not better in a day! For me, just in my particular case usually these allergies almost always happen to when I mow the grass then do a bunch of other outside activities in a row. I wear a mask all the time outside so it always freaks me out a little and shocks me as to how powerful allergens can be and get inside your clothes and home I guess.

In 6 years of masking I can say Ive never been sick but  maybe 3 times/days/occasions Ive gotten a runny nose from allergens. Once was when I was working on plumbing in a dark damp area.. I got a runny nose that evening of plumbing without my mask on.. so I quit plumbing and a day later I was fine so then when I started plumbing again, I wore a mask and avoided wearing the same clothes while plumbing and so I had no problem after that.. then the other two times would happen the evening  after mowing the grass (even though I mask while mowing)... I never got allergies after mowing if I came inside and washed my clothes right away and showered right away ...usually the allergy would always happen if I did something like stayed outside for a super long time after mowing the grass and didn't change my clothes or shower right away after mowing. Even though I masked outside the whole time I'd still get allergies later that evening...

...It must have something to do with allergens getting on clothes and in hair and seeping into home somehow because my mask is always on outside. I guess I'm bringing it indoors or it just gets inside the house naturally from nature. Any way that's about three times in 6 years of masking that I've ever gotten any kind of runny nose. So far far Ive managed it so when allergies strike they have have only lasted a day for me tops. A runny nose is an extremely rare event for me. We shall see if using air purifier and washing clothes and not spending prolonged period outside during high pollen count does the trick again for me! Ive have never had allergens or allergy symptoms for more than a day in six years so we shall see how I feel tomorrow after having cleaned the air filters on the air purifiers and the air conditioners and after having washed  yesterday's clothes better and perhaps I'll limit my time outside.

lol.. Just the fact my nose started running feels totally crazy and freaky for me  because I am such a die hard masker and never get sick! I feel perfectly fine but like I said its just a weird sensation having a runny nose whatsoever  ..so far it has never lasted long longer than a day lol.. So when I get a runny nose its like a total shock to the system..lol

The Masked Man

P.S. It sounds kind of crazy but now its like I have to mask the home. I have to go the extra mile and cock the windows better..make seals airtight.. keep filters clean vacuum etc. Ive neglected some of that and its time for me to put some elbow grease into it. Ive got to to a better job of "masking" the home from certain elements and the weather!

Bird Flu Strikes 8 NYC Live Markets, One In Florida

Published on March 14, 2026

Highly pathogenic bird flu has quietly spread into another cluster of live-bird markets, with federal data and state alerts flagging nine new detections nationwide. Eight are in New York City...

Overall risk to the general public is still considered low, but people who work in these markets or regularly handle live birds are at the front of the exposure line.

LINK:
https://hoodline.com/2026/03/bird-flu-strikes-8-nyc-live-markets-one-in-florida/

COMMENT:
Whenever someone says "risk to the general public is still considered low" I cringe a little thinking how do they distinguish the general public from people who work in these markets or regularly handle live birds... aren't people in these markets and those who handle birds part of the general public?

Michigan: Second case of measles reported in Washtenaw County.

Source of information.

1. Fox Detroit 2.

https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-gc66kesoppnij84y

Utah aquarium, pediatric care facility among recent measles exposure sites, health officials say.

Source of information.

1. KSL.

https://www.ksl.com/article/51465381/utah-aquarium-pediatric-care-facility-among-recent-measles-exposure-sites-health-officials-say?utm_source=twitter_share&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=news&utm_content=health

Update: March 13th 2026

My loved one is recovering fine from Gall Bladder surgery..
We've been doing our masked walks a few days in row...
Insofar as masking around her and masking in the rooms she occupies for almost two weeks straight Ive done fine...

I did start to falter with food the last few days. Typically I would microwave a plate of food and take it back to my room and wash my hands and take off my mask eating in a private room but I failed in a sense just the the last few days by eating a couple plates of food without microwaving it first. So technically I failed at taking all precations for the full 2 weeks(for that 14 day covid incubation period). If she had somehow contracted covid its possible I could get covid from eating those dishes. Except for the last three days with eating some food she prepared without really nuking it in the microwave, I have continued to mask around her and in the rooms she occupied. This seems kind of stupid on my part  to skimp on nuking my meals the last three days since Ive been so good about doing everything else so I won't let that happen again.

She's doing great no signs of having gotten any airborne illness or airborne disease after her hospital surgery  and three more days and I can take my mask off when I'm around her.

Overall I have been successful masking and still carrying on with her...I guess it also helps to think I'm in training and that from this experience I'll be in good practice to mask around her again after I take her to the dentist. Its not easy but the longer one does it, the more natural it feels. Overall the experience gives me confidence I can mask again for the net possible exposure she might have.

Later folks.. now in an n95 mask for another evening I  go sit in the easy chair and watch tv. She is doing well and is writing stories for substack  on her little computer.

She has a checkup in a couple days. I'd say we are doing pretty good. I've only gotten stronger for having masked around her to be on the safe side. I am glad I am masking to be on the safe side. Using the mask keeps  me in a favorable position where I can continue to be strong for us 

It takes a certain kind of discipline to mask inside your own home around loved ones but then again its a such a great skill to have and power to have. Other animals can't do that for themselves. It's pretty priceless to be able to control the odds as to whether one might get sick or not by being able to wear a mask... masking a great tool to to ensure safety and being able to secure one health. I didn't have anybody else that would take care of me just incase she brought home a virus and got me sick from the hospital(even though we masked at the hospital and the doctors and nurses were ordered to mask).. there was and is no one that will help me if I got sick.. so I had to mask anyway.

Anyway its all in a day's work because Ive' masked outside my home anyway for over six years now with success. In three days I'll be able to unmask around my loved one again in our home but things are hard enough as they are, ain't no way I'm giving up my masking outdoors and outside the home! My idea is we don't just mask because we are weak or vulnerable.. we mask to maintain whatever strength we got. We mask outside and publicly to keep and maintain whatever health we have.

Gotta tell ya my reality is nobody is going to come to my aid in a mask and help me. when it comes down to it, there's nobody I know but me to protect myself with a mask. Maybe someday that will change.. I hope so but I'm masking just the same whether that day comes or not. My masked way of life is working for me so far. My dream is meet, collaborate and work with other maskers someday in a safe well thought out manner when it makes sense to. The way things are going for the world I am sure over time that will happen.

The Masked Man

P.S. another good day has passed and I just got back from a wonderful masked walk with my loved one.. we sat next to waterfall and contemplated the beauties of the water and the rocks and I even jumped on my bicycle and got some exercise in my mask as well.. I do this to prove to myself and others that the Masked Man and the Masked Woman aren't just sitting around depressed.. we wear masks and we live life to the fullest and happiest we can! We have no problem carrying on and enjoying life in our masks .. doesn't matter to us. We don't care what other people think about our masks as a matter of fact we think people are kind of stupid for not making and are somewhat judgmental of them.. at least I am. No hard feelings or anything but I am of the mind we are going to continue to be challenged by one pandemic after another..really as unpopular a view as it will be, I personally feel the pandemic has just begun... I am a scholar of sorts and I see patterns and indicators that point to lots of contagious illnesses happening...
...That's just me and my opinions..what really matters is I enjoy never getting sick over the last 6 years because of my masking habits(another way of putting it is there are only 52 weeks a year... and with the current illnesses and diseases and their long term repercussions going around nearly every season of the year I simply don't have to worry about that part of life because of my masking ...I simply prefer being safe and masking to prevent airborne illnesses and airborne diseases that can compromise my immunity system and endanger my loved one's life who is has a decline in her immunity system due to age.. We are used to masking. Stay tuned ..in the making is another music video of our masked walk/ or time at the waterfall, and my masked bike ride! Have a great weekend!

Personal NOTE:
UPDATE:March 14th 2026
I just read:
"In rare cases, covid symptoms can show up after 14 days. Researchers think this happens with about 1 out of every 100 people."
MAN!That's one vicious disease! So even after 14 days of masking around loved one there's still that tiny chance of getting covid!? Can you imagine?!

Today was tough because all last night I guess I had allergies. I used some nose spray... So today my nose is running in my mask. Then neighbor's burning brush  so smoke is entering my home. I yelled a few profanities (probably not helpful) I avoided conflict however(Ive called firefighters before and there is nothing they can do) and I cleaned all filters and now and using air conditioner and couple air purifiers and I think its working so that's good. Nose still running but whatever, we take what precautions ..not exactly sure what allergies are so bad but of course it could be worse. Maybe its the smoke ..Haven't quite pinpointed why  but its Very typical allergic reaction after spending tons of time outside even in my mask.. maybe its allergens..I had binged on a ton of cheese and whole milk last night as well,,, maybe I even wore the disposable n95 mask too long. Ive gotten a fresh mask and do what I usually do to make whatever triggered allergies subside. Set of musty clothes? All I know is  in the evening my nose felt congested I used some nose spray and my nose has been running a little just like allergies.. otherwise I lifted some weights and feel fine...Every now and then I get allergies around damp plumbing or when I eat the wrong things like lots of cheese and whole milk so that's likely what it is.. I guess one thing could offset and trigger allergies..I'm not really that great at keeping room clean and vacuumed and dust free that's for sure.. probably a combination of everything I do wrong.. I'll probably be good in a day so now I work on music video while loved one seems safe in her air-conditioned room to watch tv... Sometime the world really eats at ya and gets to ya and so today I will stay busy with something positive and artistic for myself to get through the dooldrums we all feel time to time.

Last time I got allergies I spent the day outside ...I mowed the grass.. did extra outdoor work and then exercised on my bicycle.. I did this all in my mask but still ended  with allergies for about a day afterwards..I almost feel like I ended up with allergies because I didn't shower immediately after I mowed ... I guess from being outside too long when allergens and pollen are outside somehow they still get ya!... maybe the air conditioners and air purifiers I just cleaned up  help... Maybe my clothes bandannas etc. bring in allergens.. sounds like its easy for allergens to seep in through the house.. I'm in the mountains surrounded by unkempt trees and there's lots of digging and construction work is not far aways .. I guess I better do some loads of laundry too... I dunno the neighbor's did stop burning brush maybe me having screamed a few choice words and profanities helped or maybe they just got sick of their own smoke... either way I'm still keeping my distance and gonna keep my cool.. ah there we go just threw yesterdays clothing that ha been outside yesterday into washer ... man , its always something!

Locally for me there is a lot of pollen in the air...

"Pollen levels are high and rising in North Carolina as of mid-March 2026, driven by a warm-up following a cold winter that has forced multiple tree species to pollinate simultaneously"
Here are the details regarding the allergen situation in North Carolina as of March 14, 2026:

    Pollen Levels: Tree pollen is heavily affecting North Carolina, with reports of "high" levels in various parts of the state.
    Trigger Factors: A significant, rapid warmup after a cold winter has accelerated the release of pollen from trees like cedar, elm, maple, and oak.
    Regional Impact: The 2026 allergy season is particularly severe, with North Carolina facing high levels of pollen that are starting earlier each year.
    Peak Timing: While pollen is currently high, the absolute peak of the spring pollen season—often called "The Pollening"—is expected to hit in late March to early April.
    Common Symptoms: Many residents are experiencing typical spring symptoms, including itchy/watery eyes, runny noses, and sneezing.

Key Recommendations:

    Check Daily Counts: Pollen counts are generally higher in the afternoon, often driven by wind and rising temperatures.
    Minimize Exposure: Shower before bed to wash off pollen, and keep windows closed, especially during high-pollen days.
    Medication: Start allergy medications early (or before) the peak season begins to better manage symptoms."

... wouldn't ya know it but just now I opened up a  box from the UPS guy.. there's like eight different antihistamines and decongestants my loved one  had ordered..to a guy who wears his mask so much this runny nose from allergens is like an insult! I'm not much into drugs but perhaps I'll try an antihistamine out and see what happens. ouch! I just cut my finger a little opening the childproof antihistamine bottle! Man! now I gotta go put some antibiotic creme on my little bloody finger! Ha! It's just ben one of those days.. sometimes it seems like the whole world is against ya but it could be far worse! my loved one just got through gall bladder surgery , came home the same day .. just turned 78 and she's doing fine! whew lol Ive got it good considering. As long as I don't make the mistake of turning the tv on and watching the world news I should be good the rest of the evening!



"Why has early pollen been so bad this year in the Carolinas?
A cold end to winter, combined with a surge of March warmth, has allowed for many trees to pollinate at the same time."
LINK:
https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/early-pollen-allergies-extreme-charlotte-north-carolina/275-e5d66630-b069-4ff8-a88c-8f565d3fdb2d