A face mask – even a single-use surgical one – is not a get-out-of-jail-card releasing you to resume your pre-Covid lifestyle. That’s because you can not rely on a face mask to shield you entirely from infection. Although it can strengthen your defenses against Covid-19, you could be in danger zone if it tempts you into dropping your other precautions. But of course you must wear one if you suspect you are carrying the virus.
Sound Reasons You Can Not Rely Entirely on a Face Mask
Eli Perencevich, MD is professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine. Writing in Forbes, Tara Haella says he questions the evidence advanced by manufacturers. They are making ‘good money’ from the crisis he says. Why run the product down?
The average healthy person does not need a face mask to defend against the Covid Virus, he explains. It might not help at all if they do not know how to fit it correctly. Moreover, if they keep touching their faces the virus may slip through. Centers for Disease Control goes as far as suggesting removing elective face masks from public areas if they are in short supply in hospitals.
Perhaps We Should Reserve Face Masks for Infected People
Bruce Y Lee also writing in Forbes agrees. He believes non-prescription face masks may not be fully effective, unless they are tested and approved as legitimate N95 respirators by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Moreover, and this is possibly something to think about Tara Haella adds surgical masks prevent infections leaving the wearer, as opposed to entering from outside.
We are not saying you should not wear one because you can not rely entirely on a face mask to protect you. We just wanted to explain you should still wash your hands regularly, and try not to touch your face with your fingers, by using the back of your hand instead.
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Preview Image: Medical professional with surgical mask
