Table of Contents 64q43
- Why should I wear masks?
- Do I need to maintain social distancing if I am wearing a mask?
- But does wearing a mask and keeping your distance really make a difference?
- Do I need to wear the mask all the time?
- Can I exchange the use of a mask for a face shield?
- Should I look to stock up on surgical or N95-type masks?
With the new coronavirus pandemic showing no sign that it is approaching an end, there is increasing pressure for a reopening of commerce both in large metropolises and in smaller cities, and this type of decision will only be possible if all people follow the World Health Organization (WHO) safety recommendations — and this includes the use of wearing masks. 1na14
Why should I wear masks? 662544
The use of wearing masks is something necessary because, as with the common flu, the COVID-19 It is an airborne disease, as the virus is expelled through microscopic droplets whenever we speak or breathe. So, if everyone uses them, there will be a “barrier” that not only prevents these droplets from being expelled into the environment, but also protects anyone from inhaling the virus that has already been expelled.
Do I need to maintain social distancing if I am wearing a mask? 674839
Whenever possible, yes. Even though the wearing masks protect a lot (as we will show in some data soon after), they are not a 100% effective barrier, and it is possible to contract the virus even with their use. So keeping a distance of at least one meter from anyone you are talking to ensures that protection is even more effective.
But does wearing a mask and keeping your distance really make a difference? 6tj62
It does. According to information from McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (both from Canada), the probability of acquiring the new coronavirus when talking to a person and both are free mask is 17,4%, while if both are using one this chance of contagion drops to 3,1%.
This same phenomenon can be seen when keeping a safe distance between the parties: if you are less than a meter away from someone who has confirmed or suspected to have the new coronavirus, the chances of catching the disease are 12,8 %. If a distance of more than one meter is obeyed, this chance drops to 2,6%, and it decreases to 1,3% if a distance of more than two meters is obeyed.
These results were obtained after reviewing 172 observational studies, carried out by researchers from 16 different countries, which aimed to measure how much the use of mask and maintaining social distancing interfered with the transmission of the virus. This review also included 44 comparative studies that tried to measure the efficiency of these equipment in the outbreaks of SARS and MERS (two diseases that are caused by other types of coronavirus).
Do I need to wear the mask all the time? 2k3d1s
Not exactly all the time, but whenever you need to have with other people. For example, it is not necessary to use one inside the house or in the car if you are alone, but it is necessary to always have one on hand if you need to interact with another person, such as with a enger, with the gas station attendant or to serve the delivery man. delivery at the gate.
It is also recommended that you do not place wearing masks in children under 2 years of age, people who are having difficulty breathing or people who are unconscious (either ed out or asleep), as in these conditions the cloth mask can cause (or worsen) breathing problems.
Can I exchange the use of a mask for a face shield? 6al45
In theory, the face shield offers greater protection, as it manages to protect the wearer's eyes - something important because the organ can also serve as an entry point for the virus, in addition to the airways. But, despite being an option to the use of wearing masks cloth, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend these devices as a replacement for these.
This is because there is no study that guarantees that these equipments are really efficient to prevent the transmission of the new coronavirus by itself, and the use is recommended as an extra layer of protection for health agents - who can use these shields along with the wearing masks and specific gloves for the care of patients with COVID-19.
Should I look to stock up on surgical or N95-type masks? 1v123o
Only if you are working in clinics and hospitals where you have direct with patients infected with COVID-19. This is because these types of mask are considered as PPE (personal protective equipment) and, therefore, the existing stock of these masks must be kept for the exclusive use of health professionals who work on the front line of the fight against the pandemic.
Source: The Lancet, CDC, Mayo Clinic
