The year 2020 has brought stunning changes to our way of life. Our lives as we know them took a turn for the worse with the outbreak of the Coronavirus on a global scale. The world watched on helpless as the death toll increased steadily.
At the outset of the global pandemic, most treated warnings with callous disregard. People did not bother to follow the guidelines that medical practitioners set forth.
As the year progressed, we learned to adapt to this new lifestyle. The World Health Organization (WHO) set forth basic rules to follow to avoid contracting the virus. The foremost of them was to wear a face mask at all times, wash your hands regularly, maintain a distance of six feet when out, practice social distancing, etc.
The need for surgical masks
Medical practitioners, WHO officials, and scientists all insisted on the importance of masks for protection from the Coronavirus. As they learned more about the virus and how easily it spread, they found out that Covid 19 spreads via respiratory droplets. These air droplets travel through the air landing on every surface whenever someone speaks, coughs or sneezes. The risk of infection without a disposable face mask is great. Even if a person is asymptomatic, they can transmit the virus to others.
How does the mask protect one from contracting the virus?
Wearing a face mask acts as a barrier, preventing the admission of respiratory particles that could potentially infect us. A respiratory mask can limit the spread of the virus. While masks have proven to be highly effective, they do not guarantee total immunity. The practice of wearing masks should be observed by everyone to allow the minimal risk of infection.
Common misconceptions
The general public finds masks highly uncomfortable and some even consider them to have adverse effects on their health. However, cloth masks or disposable face masks are both breathable and easily available. Another misconception is that when we wear a mask for too long we have a chance of suffocating. This is not the case as surgical masks and N95 masks are used by doctors regularly and have proved reliable as well as breathable.
People also believe that only N95 masks are effective. While N95 masks are one of the best types, they are not the only ones that can stop the spread of the virus. Cloth masks, homemade coverings, etc provide the smart modicum of safety from the virus. These masks prevent respiratory particles from entering into our lungs which coupled with frequent handwriting and social distancing should prove helpful in keeping one
Which types of masks to use
Obviously when using a mask for the Corona virus, one must invest in masks that are reliable, safe, and easily available. You can even make your cloth mask. Cloth masks are deemed to be the favored choice for their ease of access. It is advisable to use masks that have no large gaps at the sides. It is also best to use a material that is breathable such as cotton. A mask with several layers will help ward off the threat of infection as well. A year has passed and yet we are still plagued with this pandemic. If we do not take the threat of this virus seriously, we risk not only those we have already lost but many more. If wearing a mask can help us go about our day with even a hint of normality, we must all endeavor to at least try.