Ever since news hit home about three patients testing positive for the Coronavirus in Pakistan, everyone’s been in a bit of frenzy. Paranoia has reached new levels with some even refusing to eat Chinese food and others stockpiling on face masks. But the real question remains – do face masks really help protect you from the virus or does it actually increase your chances of infection? Read on.
Should you wear a mask if the virus has been detected in your city? No. Should you wear a mask if someone living in the house next to yours is diagnosed with Coronavirus? NO. In fact, it looks like wearing a mask could be putting you at a risk for infection. Here’s why:
According to infection prevention specialist Eli Perencevich, MD, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine, “The average healthy person does not need to have a mask, and they shouldn’t be wearing masks. There’s no evidence that wearing masks on healthy people will protect them. They wear them incorrectly, and they can increase the risk of infection because they’re touching their face more often.”
Even if you know how to wear a mask properly without any excessive face touching, wearing a mask is still pretty unnecessary.
When Should One Wear a Face Mask?
The only time that it is okay to wear a mask, or even advised, is if you are sick and have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus or you have the flu and you suspect it to be the Coronavirus. The only reason to be wearing the mask is to protect others from getting infected.
How Does the Virus Spread?
The coronavirus is transmitted through droplets, not through the air. Therefore, there is no point wearing the face mask. These surgical masks are designed to keep droplets in (NOT TO KEEP THEM OUT) and are intended to keep the wearer from getting others sick. Therefore, spread the news, enlighten others and quit buying more surgical masks unless you are sick yourself.