At the moment, with the easing of Level 5 lockdown restrictions, we are having many debates about the effectiveness or otherwise of face masks against the Covid-19 virus. There are strong voices on both sides, making their cases for and against in a world of fear and confusion. Here’s what we do know….Coronavirus is mainly transferred from person to person via respiratory spray when people cough, talk, laugh, etc. Staying a safe social distance away from people and reducing the germs being transmitted between people by washing your hands are both ways to lower the spread of the virus. While high quality research regarding mask use is limited, all of the data supports mask wearing as a key public health measure to decrease viral spread.
Are Masks 100% Effective?
The industry gold standard is the N-95 mask, and here at RTP Supplies we stock 2 types of N-95 masks . This mask is 95% effective at keeping you free of inhaling viral particles, assuming you are wearing it correctly – i.e. over your mouth AND nose. These masks are the best choice for front-line workers in high risk settings where aerosols of virus particles are most prevalent. Surgical masks offer less protection and cloth face masks less again. Having said that, even a 50% reduction in viral transmission is still important.
Regarding the general public, wearing a mask helps to protect those around you from the droplets you expel into the air when you cough, sneeze or even talk. Many who are infected with Coronavirus are asymptomatic and can therefore spread the virus unknowingly. So wearing a mask not only shows respect for others but it can help reduce the spread of disease. It is important to ensure that any mask you were not be so thick that it makes breathing through it very uncomfortable.
To note, there is also no scientific evidence that wearing masks reduce oxygen levels. Masks are designed to breathe through and doctors and nurses wear them all day long. Some research does demonstrate, however, that patients with pre-existing lung conditions may suffer from a carbon dioxide build-up, so they should be screened for wearing by their doctors.
To summarise, limiting the spread of Coronavirus is all about statistics. Realistically, if you want to guarantee avoidance of catching the virus 100%, you would have to isolate completely from others. But this is not practical in this day and age and nor is it good for your mental health. So we adopt the next best steps which include social distancing, hand washing and masks. The further you are away from an infected person, the less likely you are to contract coronavirus. Given the as Given the asymptomatic nature of the virus in some, it’s best to apply this rule to everybody during the pandemic, regardless of infection status, to stay safer.
Masks are not 100% effective, but can absolutely reduce the risk of spreading the virus especially, or catching it. And the type of mask you wear matters. If you are going to go to the effort of wearing one to help protect yourself and others, make sure it offers the best protection possible, for yourself and those around you.