What Difference Would It Make If We Wear A Mask In The Covid-19 Pandemic?

Will wearing a mask help slow the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19? Yes, wear face masks and other prevention steps. For instance, regular hand washing and social distancing help delay the spread of the virus.

So why hasn’t wearing a mask been suggested at the onset of the pandemic? At the time, experts were unaware of the degree to which people with COVID-19 could spread the virus before symptoms emerged. It was not understood that certain people had COVID-19 but had no symptoms. Both groups can unknowingly spread the virus to others.

These results have prompted public health associations to make a face-to-face appearance on face masks. The WHO and the CDC now include face masks in their guidelines to limit the spread. The CDC recommends cloth face masks for the public, not the surgical masks and N95 masks required by health care providers.

Why Should I Wear A Mask?

Wearing a mask is the number one move in coming together as a team to defeat the COVID-19. We know that the virus spreads quickly through the air – by wearing a mask, you’re helping to reduce the particles you breathe.

When everybody wears a mask (infected or not), the coronavirus doesn’t have nearly as much potential to spread around. One reputable study found that wearing a face mask reduces infection chances by more than 80%.

Combined with other protective measures for COVID-19, it is obvious that wearing a mask helps to minimize the number of infections. That’s why it’s such a critical step in trying to end the pandemic and bring things back to normal.

I Was A Healthy Person At All Times, So I’m Not Concerned About Coronavirus. Do I Still Really Need A Mask To Wear?

Yes. Although you might not be directly concerned about catching coronavirus, the main aim of wearing a mask is simply to protect others.

Some people who acquire coronavirus have no symptoms, so they can never feel sick. Yeah, that’s certainly a positive thing. But what’s not so positive is that those people will also spread the disease to someone who may be sick – often for weeks or even months.

Wearing a mask isn’t vulnerability – it’s a show of bravery because you’re caring for people you care about. Besides, you’re searching for people in your culture who may be more seriously impacted by COVID-19 than you are.

At its heart, wearing a mask is an act of kindness and neighborliness. It’s one of the simplest good deeds you can do these days, and it’s a perfect way to be a force of positivity to people in your life.

Does Wearing A Mask Work?

Yes yes. We’ve heard some misunderstandings from people, so let’s make it clear: several studies show that wearing a mask – along with other precautions – helps to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Now it’s easy to understand where uncertainty could come from. In the early days of the pandemic, scientists and public health authorities did not know anything about coronavirus. Back then, masks were not seen as necessary because the coronavirus was not well known.

Yet things are different right now. Scientists and public health authorities have had even more time to learn how the virus functions and spreads. What they have found is that masks are very efficient and important in stopping coronavirus.

Health experts – including local physicians like us to Dr. Anthony Fauci – have been suggesting wearing masks for months now. This advice is unlikely to change. Wearing a mask is the secret to keeping the coronavirus and COVID-19 under control so that we can get back to normal every day.

How Does Wearing A Mask Protect Other People?

COVID-19 is believed to be transmitted by virus-containing droplets released when people speak, cough, or breathe.

If these droplets land in the mouth or nose of another person or are inhaled from the air, they can infect that person and make them sick.

According to Robert F. Garry, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Tulane University School of Medicine, a mask is a physical obstacle to capturing these droplets.

In reality, cloth masks can block around 40 to 60 percent of the droplets, Garry said.

N95 masksTrusted Source can do an even better job, blocking 95% of very small particles, like viruses.

Masks trap and infect these droplets until they can hit other humans.

What Kind Of Mask Should I Wear?

The Best Masks To Wear Are The Following:

• Homemade masks with at least two layers of cloth – You can find out more about how to create a mask from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Masks for dust
• Surgical/Procedural Mask
• N95 masks without vents – But, if you have access to other forms of masks, it is recommended that you wear these masks instead of N95 masks for health care staff on the front lines.

When Should My Family Wear A Mask?

Check to see whether the local authorities require you to wear masks in any environment and for any age-specific recommendations where you live.

Whether your kids should wear a mask depends on various factors, including their age and ability to use a mask safely and properly. See the advice of UNICEF and the WHO for more information.

If COVID-19 is common in your city, a fabric mask should be worn in all public settings where it is difficult to maintain a physical distance from others and always in public indoor spaces. Stop going to crowded areas and confined indoor spaces with as little ventilation as possible.

There is a lot of false knowledge on the use of masks and COVID-19 circulating, so be sure to use credible sources such as UNICEF, WHO, and your national and local health authorities to make decisions about your family’s health.

Who Shouldn’t Wear It?

Masks should not be used by someone who is unable to remove the mask without assistance, including babies and small children, or by someone who has trouble breathing.

UNICEF and WHO recommend that children under 5 years of age should not be allowed to wear masks. This is focused on child protection and acknowledges that children will meet developmental milestones at various ages.

Some countries have different recommendations on the use of masks by children, so it is necessary to consult with your local authorities on any age-specific requirements. If children aged 5 years and under are required to wear masks, you or another caregiver should be in a clear line of sight to monitor the mask’s safe use.

If you or a family member has a medical condition or impairment that makes it difficult to wear a mask, consult with your doctor for advice about what’s right for you.

When you exercise, pick a place where you don’t need to wear a mask, such as at home or in a space (such as outdoors) where you can maintain a healthy physical distance from others. Children and adults do not wear masks when playing sports or doing a physical activity so that their breathing is not impaired. Sweat can also make the mask wet, making it hard to breathe and easier for germs to spread.

The Bottom Line

Not only can the mask that we wear protect those around us, but it can also protect us. A lower viral dose is considered to be associated with a less serious illness. Masks can reduce the dose, leading to milder symptoms, or no symptoms, if COVID-19 is contracted.

The wearing of a universal mask will play a crucial role as we wait for the vaccine to mature. It can delay transmission and potentially reduce the incidence of illness and reduce the burden on society.