Situations are critical in the U.S, Spain, and Italy, at its worst, even bypassed the death rate in China, where it originally began. Certain precautions tend to be effective and can be weighed in to diffuse the infection at an individual level.
With a series of steps; washing hands, use of disinfectant sprays, using a sanitizer and especially the use of face mask is deemed necessary. The lesser you are in physical content the better chances of survival you have. Even WHO recommends using a face mask so it will avoid spreading of coronavirus via air. Therefore the rush of supplies intensified with an increase in demand.
In the early days, supplies shortened for face masks as people panicked and started to store face masks, going out of the way. Government officials encouraged the public to improvise, and guess what the public did? They took initiative to make home-made face masks.
Experts and their opinion about a face mask
According to the clinical research, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say it's as good as a contingency plan due to dire lack of surgical masks and respirators. The U.S is still struggling with the supplies and so are other countries.
It is seen using a face mask plays a greater role in preventing a person from getting affected. If virus cells are floating in your particular surroundings (they can stay for more than 3 hours in the air) it can come in direct contact with your nose and straight into your lungs. Mouth, hands, eyes and ears, all basic senses can become the reason for being infected, hence the reason why it is highly advised to not touch your face and cover it with a facemask.
Something is better than nothing at all
This statement depicts how improvising with the current supplies have become critical for survival. It is recommended if you are taking a patient to a hospital or if you have flu or cough, it is imperative to wear a face mask.
Health care workers are at high risk of getting infected therefore, the use of N95 respirator masks is crucial for them. These masks are heavy-duty designed for a tight fit around the face covering your mouth and nose. It is known to block almost 95% of micro airborne particles that may/may not be contaminated. Does it leave bruises? Yes, due to its tight fit, it can leave a bruise on one's face if worn for longer time durations. Despite being unwantedly uncomfortable it is a necessary precaution.
Is it compulsory for the public to wear them? No, it's the main concern for health workers as they are in close contact with patients, for the public, disposable masks like surgical masks are better in use as it has a warranty of maximum of 8 hours to use and thus needs to be disposed of promptly. They come cheap, often come in gauzy green or blue color and are less uncomfortable.
But is wearing a surgical mask enough? According to Raina MacIntyre, an infectious disease researcher, “it's a visible barrier but doesn't offer absolute protection.”
They do fit more comfortably around the face edges. Therefore one can say N95 masks are better in protection than a surgical mask. If you do wear a surgical mask while taking care of a sick child at home than it does reduces the chances of getting infected.
Cloth masks are washable and reusable but its sustainability is questionable. These are commonly available in Asian markets however if it adds any benefit in prevention of being infected is yet to be seen. Some suggest it’s even more harmful because of the infrequent washing and constant use can deplete any benefit it might have otherwise it can easily become breeding home to the pathogens.
According to medical experts, once you take off a face mask, it should not be worn again; especially if you touch the front of the mask you will contaminate your hands on an immediate level. Hundreds of microbes (impossible to see with the naked eye) are stuck on the outer surface of the mask's front.
Who should wear the mask? According to Marybeth Sexton, an assistant professor of medicine,
“Someone with a respiratory illness must wear a mask because said person’s immune system is already compromised and weak therefore his / her chances of getting infected are higher than the others. “
If one thinks wearing a face mask is enough, then you are highly mistaken. If everyone starts wearing face masks in public or even at home, they will be walking and talking home for pathogens stuck to the front. Many are not observant of how they wear and take off the mask if you live in a country at low risk from coronavirus there's no need to wear a mask by medical calculations.
So is it ok now to let go of precautionary measures?
Wuhan, China, the epicenter of coronavirus strictly enforced the lockdown and social distancing. After a storm hurdle for more than two months now things are on a mend (comparatively), governmental officials took upon themselves to disinfect public transportation platforms but still, precautionary measures remain intact for a partial opening of public places.
Don’t even think about letting go of the precautionary steps. who knows this might be the only fighting chance you have against the COVID-19 PANDEMIC? Regardless of wherever you are, even if you live in a low-risk country, wash your hands thoroughly and wear a mask when you step inside hospitals or marts. You may never know who is infected.
Some suggest wearing gloves as well, yes it is helpful but it comes with great caution because you are touching everything while wearing the same gloves. Similarly to face mask, use disposable hand gloves. And don’t worry, not ever sneeze is a symptom of flu or not every cough is a sign of the virus. While taking the necessary precautions do remember, it’s the flu season, you can have pollen allergy or reaction to anything, so step it out with caution for yourself. You could save lives.
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