Everything You Need To Know About Wearing Face Masks During The COVID-19 Pandemic
There has been a lot of debate when it comes to the wearing of face masks during the COVID-19 (or Coronavirus) pandemic. Whilst some countries' health organisations and advisors, such as the CDCC in America, suggest we should be wearing masks the World Health Organisation (WHO) offer different advice, advising if you are healthy you do not need to wear a mask.
In Ireland, many TV shows have focused on the wearing of masks with many conflicting opinions being drawn. The big topic surrounding the wearing of masks seems to be down to two issues. The first being that PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is low in supply and needs to be prioritised for healthcare professionals, which is completely understandable. The second is the removal of masks, and how we treat the mask when wearing it. The worry is that we may not know how to safely remove the mask, or we may take the mask on and off when out and about, spreading particles and lead to us touching our face more often than we should.
We’re going to take a look and the ins and outs of wearing a face mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and you can decide for yourself.
We Can Be Asymptomatic
Coronavirus is known to often be asymptomatic. This means you may have, and will test positive for, COVID-19 but you are not displaying any of the symptoms we have been told about such as coughing or a high temperature. If you are going out into the community for your essential trip for food or medicine, wearing a mask may help to stop you spreading coronavirus to others. This is the main point surrounding the wearing of a mask, it may not protect you from getting coronavirus, but it can help you to stop spreading it if you have it and are asymptomatic.
What WHO Says vs. What The CDC Say
The CDC which is the ‘The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading national public health institute of the United States’ has gone against the suggestion of WHO (World Health Organisation) and suggested those living in America wear cloth masks when going out into the community. They say “CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.”
WHO says you should wear a mask under the following circumstances:
“If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.”
How To Safely Remove A Mask
If you do decide to wear a mask it is vital to take the WHO’s advice under consideration. It is not to be worn instead of practising hand washing and other etiquette measures recently introduced but in conjunction with it. The most important part is understanding the proper removal of the mask, and how to wear the mask when out in public.
Try not remove the mask at any point in a public setting as this can release droplets into the atmosphere.
Make sure the mask is on securely before heading into a public setting as readjusting and possibly touching your face is counterproductive.
The CDC has information on safely putting on and removing PPE, you can read their instructions here.
WHO also offers downloadable brochures about the safety measures that should be taken when it comes to masks which you can view here.
How To Make Your Own Mask
As previously mentioned, medical grade PPE is reserved for healthcare professionals. Should you choose to wear a mask, and practice the proper etiquette surrounding wearing a mask, you can make your own at home. This video shows you how to make a cloth mask, and you don’t even need a sewing machine to make one! Remember your mask must be washed after every use.