Do You Need to Wear a Mask to Avert COVID-19?
The Czech Republic is one country in Europe that has significantly slowed down the coronavirus and COVID-19 infections. What did they do differently than other places where virus infections have grown exponentially, killing thousands and thousands of people?
As generally recommended by health officials, Czech people:
Practice Social Distancing
Shelter at Home
Wash their Hands
But they also wear face masks.
Everyone who leaves their home is required to wear a face mask. When combined with the recommended practices listed above, that’s the life-saving difference. And amazingly, the Czech people unified to provide cloth facemarks for 3 million people in 3 days.
Watch this 3-minute English-language video to learn why they propose #Masks4ALL.
Are Cloth Masks Effective?
Cloth facemarks are not as effective as N-95 or N-99 respirators or surgical masks. But those types of masks are in drastically short supply in our hospitals, so they need to be reserved for healthcare workers.
Cloth masks, however, provide partial protection.
According to Wired Magazine, one 2008 study showed that masks made out of T-shirt material were one-third as effective as surgical masks, and a similar conclusion was reached in a 2010 study.
In contrast, another study shows that with the right material, a cloth mask can be comparable to surgical-grade masks. According to a Huffington Post article:
”A study of homemade face masks by SmartAirFilters.com found that cotton T-shirts and cotton pillowcases are the best at-home materials for making DIY face masks, based on their ability to capture particles yet remain breathable, and that they perform comparably to surgical-grade masks.”
Cloth masks may not protect you as much as they protect others from the droplets coming out of your respiratory track if you’re infected.
Although people who are ill have been asked to stay home, data has shown that the virus can be spread by people who are asymptomatic (as many as 25% of people infected with the virus) or pre-symptomatic. For example, contact tracing has shown that almost half of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs while a person is pre-symptomatic.
Droplets, which can contain the virus, come out when you sneeze, cough, breath, speak, or sing, but their trajectory onto others (or objects) can be contained if you’re wearing a mask.
“Masks work in both directions,” virologist Julian Tang explained. “If everybody wears a mask, it’s double protection. Even if a mask is not 100 percent sealed, it is still a significant reduction in risk of transmission.” (Wired Magazine)
In recent days, even the White House and the CDC are reevaluating their policy on face masks and considering whether to ask everyone to wear one.
Health officials who have previously opposed the universal use of face masks have said people may accidentally infect themselves if a mask is not worn properly.
This video from the World Health Organization explains how to wear a surgical mask properly. Similar principles can be applied to the use of a cloth mask.
The video begins with a statement that people should not wear masks unless they are a healthcare provider or are sick. But again, that policy is now under review and may be changed by the CDC and the White House in the near future.
Just like we have all learned how to properly wash our hands during this pandemic, we can learn how to properly use a face mask.
I’ve included links in the resource section on how to sew a cloth mask, and how to make a no-sew mask.
I’ve also included links to reliable mask manufacturers below like Vog Mask and Cambridge Mask. Although they’re sold out at the moment, Cambridge Mask is taking pre-orders and you can sign up for updates from Vog Mask.
If you’re want to purchase a mask, a word of caution: beware of scammers. Amazon is awash with protective masks and even surgical masks, but many of these products have received low ratings. I see sponsored face mask posts in my Facebook feed as well. Do your due diligence so you don’t get ripped off.
Remember, masks must be combined with the other protective approaches listed at the beginning of this article, like hand-washing, to make a difference.
In its article on the topic, Wired Magazine concluded:
“In the meantime, homemade masks made from tightly woven yet breathable fabric are the best option and certainly better than nothing. A piece of cloth will never be as good as a manufactured filter, but it can still smother the brunt of a cough or sneeze and impede other people’s respiratory droplets.”
A few days ago, I had a medical procedure that could not be delayed. The doctor was rocking a stylish Cambridge-type mask, one assistant wore a N-95 respirator, one had a another type of mask, and I had on my Vog mask. In pre-virus days, they might have worn surgical masks, but I had the impression they’ve upgraded.
I’m also happy to know I live in a community where no one bats an eye if someone dons a mask. So when I go shopping, I see lots of masked people.
That’s called love. Or as the Czech’s say: “I protect you. You protect me.”
Sources and Resources
Cambridge Mask - Currently sold out but you can order for delivery this summer.
Vog Mask - Currently sold out, but you can sign up to be updated via email.
Should You Wear a Mask? US Health Officials Re-examine Guidance Among Coronavirus Crisis - CNN
It’s Time to Make Your Own Face Mask, The New York Times
Los Angeles Mayor Says Everyone Should Cover Their Faces While Outside to Fight Coronavirus
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