It's not news to anyone in the world right now that we are living through a pandemic. Many millions worldwide have been infected by the novel coronavirus. As a result, have suffered from COVID-19. At the time of this writing, over half a million people have died.
This isn't the world's first pandemic and it certainly won't be the last. People everywhere are focusing on how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. There are many successful strategies to accomplish this. Social distancing, staying at home, washing hands and the frequent use of hand sanitizer are all helpful to avoid infection.
However, one of the most effective methods of stopping the spread of COVID-19 is the wearing of medical face masks. Face masks are so simple. Although many find them uncomfortable or inconvenient to wear, the fact of the matter is that they can protect both the wearer. They can also protect others around him or her from becoming infected through airborne droplets.
If you're wondering how and why medical face masks work and how to wear one, read on for more information on this very important topic.
Early Mixed Messages
This novel coronavirus and COVID-19 are new to the world. Because of this, it has taken some time for scientists and epidemiologists to learn about this virus and the illness it causes.
As a result, early messages about medical face masks was mixed. In the early days of the spread of this virus, face masks were not recommended for average citizens.
This was in part due to a national shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical doctors and other hospital staff. In order to ensure that these people were safe and healthy and so that they could continue to care for the sick, Americans were encouraged to leave medical face masks for these brave men and women.
Further, in the early days of COVID-19, it was difficult to pinpoint the ways in which this virus is spread. Therefore, it was difficult to determine whether or not masks were necessary for people outside of hospital settings.
Fortunately and in time, the supply and demand balanced out. Also, scientific research began to show that medical face masks are effective in protecting people from this virus.
Today, there are enough masks to go around for medical workers and common citizens alike, although it's still important that we make sure that the highest quality masks are diverted to hospitals whenever possible.
Face coverings have become the norm in our country. Currently, twenty-eight states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. require them for all adults when they are in indoor public spaces and in places where it is impossible to maintain a social distance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend face coverings for the general public.
Face Coverings
Most studies seem to show that any kind of face mask can help to protect the wearer and others from the spread of the virus. However, all seem to agree that medical face masks are more effective than other types of face coverings.
State and municipal mandates only require a face covering; they are not specific about the type of material used. Although something is certainly better than nothing, experts agree that N-95 masks and traditional surgical masks help protect people better than home-made fabric face coverings or makeshift coverings like bandanas.
How Medical Face Masks Work Against Coronavirus
There is a great deal of scientific evidence that suggests that medical face masks can be highly effective in protecting people from coronavirus and, therefore, from COVID-19.
In recent months, scientists, doctors, and other researchers have conducted many experiments and studies to determine this. Most of this research has focused on the ways that infected droplets travel through the air and transmit illnesses between people.
It seems that most face masks are most effective at keeping a symptomatic or asymptomatic, infected individual from infecting others. However, it appears that wearing a mask also protects the wearer from infection as well. If both parties wear masks, then the likelihood of virus transmission is far lower than if only one or neither is wearing a mask.
Furthermore, although washing hands and social distancing are also both important to avoiding infection, most doctors agree that wearing a mask is the best way to slow transmission rates nationwide and around the world.
How to Wear a Face Mask
For best results, there are a number of guidelines all people should consider when wearing a medical face mask.
First, you should always wash your hands before and after touching the mask. Only touch the elastic bands or ties when putting the mask on.
Masks should cover a wearer's nose, mouth and chin at all times. If you need to adjust the mask, you should wash your hands again both before and after doing so. Try not to touch your mask while you are wearing it, and avoid sliding it down and then back up to speak, eat, or breathe.
When you are done wearing your mask for the day, throw it in the laundry. It's best to amass a collection of medical face masks so you can wear a new, fresh mask each and every day.
Please Wear a Mask
No one wants to wear a mask, especially in warmer weather. But, as coronavirus and COVID-19 continues to spread around the United States and the world, it's crucial that everyone does.
Just days ago, Robert Redfield, the director of the CDC, published an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In it, he and two of his colleagues stated that they believe that this illness could be controlled in a very short time if people would simply follow this directive.
Medical face masks can make a giant difference in our collective fight against COVID-19. They work and they will keep you and your loved ones safe, and the more people who wear them, the safer we all will be. Please wear a mask and stay safe.
If you wish to purchase medical face masks for home use for you and your loved ones, please check out our offerings on our site. Contact us if you have any questions. We are happy to help and we can't wait to hear from you.
