Mask: An Important Tool to Avoid Infection
The nasty virus has killed over millions of people all over the world. For many it has been a struggle of life and death. Lakhs of people have recovered but some have not been lucky enough to fight it because it attacks rapidly by hitting the lower levels of respiratory systems, causing blood and oxygen to break into the alveoli. India has recorded 7,053,806 coronavirus cases since the epidemic began. Trials of vaccines continues and primary results are encouraging. Millions of hopes are pinned on it but until then we must continue to follow the protocols that are important to keep us safe.
#UnitedAgainstCovid
- One must regularly and thoroughly clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
- Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others.
- If you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others.
Government of India has been making all the possible efforts to
face the threat posed by COVID-19 virus. The most important factor in
preventing the spread of the virus locally is to empower the citizens with the
right information and taking precautions as per the advisories being issued by
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare:
- People of all ages CAN be infected by the coronavirus.
- Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
- Everyone has to take care of ourselves and their loved ones.
In addition to the above, some simple precautions are required
to be taken by the people in their routine work:
The irony and the worst part of this infection is that it spreads from people who may or may not have symptoms. People may be infected but they may not be aware of it. That’s why it’s important for everyone to wear masks in public
settings keeping in view the increasing
number of cases on daily basis in our country.
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the
World Health Organization has advised that only two types of people should wear
masks: those who are sick and show symptoms, and those who are caring for
people who are suspected to have the coronavirus. Nobody else needs to wear a
mask, and experts have given several reasons for that. But now, there seems to be an universal need to keep the faces covered and follow protocols. Its not just for ourselves but others too.
We can't say that
face masks give complete protection from infection, but we believe that one, who
wears mask, can be safe to some extent in comparison to others who don’t. Therefore,
using face masks in crowded areas is a very significant preventive measure. It is not only the need
of hour but fundamental requirement also. Certainly, it has had have some effect
on public transmission and has also reduced transmission risk.
Why countries are insisting on wearing Masks?
The
purpose of wearing masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid
with source control. However, masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to
be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled
respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not
prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others.
Therefore, CDC does
not recommend using masks for source control if they have
an exhalation valve or vent.
Compliance
to wearing masks is being taken on a serious note. In some parts
of China, you could be arrested or punished for not wearing a mask. In
Singapore, which used to discourage citizens from wearing masks, has now made it compulsory to wear one outside or risk a fine of S$300 (£170, $210). Khabarovsk
has made the wearing of face masks obligatory to fight the spike in respiratory
diseases and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. South Korea has had to
ration out surgical masks.
In
Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo, you may well get a disapproving look if you step
outside your door without a face mask. In
recent weeks, many European nations have issued advisories to wear a mask in
certain public settings, and in England the latest advice is to wear a face
covering in public transport and some shops. France made masks compulsory
in all enclosed public spaces on Monday. Health workers and law-makers in USA also urge the citizens to wear face masks
in public.
Indian Government has
issued advisory that such people who are not suffering from medical conditions
or having breathing difficulties may use the handmade reusable face cover,
particularly when they step out of their house. This will help in protecting
the community at large. It has also been advised that two sets of such face
covers be made so that one can be washed while the other is used. Hand washing remains essential criteria. Also one must wash their hands before wearing
the face cover. Such face covers should also not be thrown anywhere but kept
safely, washed properly with soap and hot water and dried properly before they
are used.
It is advisable
to all that front portion of the mask
should not be touched or handled during use. If the mask gets wet or dirty with
secretions, it must be changed immediately. Discard the mask after use and
perform hand hygiene after disposal of the mask. He/she should avoid touching
own face, nose or mouth.
Children
who are in general good health can wear a non-medical or fabric mask for their
protection. The adult who
is providing the mask should ensure the fabric mask is the correct size and
sufficiently covers the nose, mouth and chin of the child. WHO
and UNICEF advise that children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the
same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a
1-metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area.
We must do this for each other!!
Not
wearing a mask while stepping out of your house in Delhi may land you in jail
for up to six months. People violating the order by not wearing masks when
outdoors may also have to cough up fines between Rs. 200 and Rs 1,000. The
chief secretary said violators will strictly be punished under Section 188
(Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal
Code.
The current
situation in India is almost miserable and calls for safety and precaution. Cases
of COVID 19 are increasing at alarming rate. In such a situation it becomes essential for
everyone to wear a mask every time you step out of the house so that
these silent carriers can do no harm to the healthy. Its a war against humans and we have to come as one to save humanity.
Despite
this fact, thousands of people were seen
roaming in the market freely and fearlessly. According
to Dr Salvi, without masks, the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission increases by 35 per cent from asymptomatic
carriers. Cloth masks reduce the risk of transmission by 50 per cent and
surgical masks by 80 per cent.
Reasons for not wearing
mask by the people are numerous. Report says that some
people find wearing a mask difficult or distressing. Some feel
it is expensive; some think it is not available and many others believe only
the sick have to wear it. Some people believe that wearing a mask doesn't work, or they
disbelieve the science. Another reason that people
don’t wear masks is because they underestimate the seriousness of the COVID-19
pandemic. Don't be one of them!
Face mask and face covering has come out as
third pillar in community action at low cost. Benjamin
Neuman, a professor of biology at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, has assured that masks don't meaningfully decrease oxygen in the body. The World Health Organization also says face masks of
breathable material, worn properly, will not lead to oxygen
deficiency or carbon dioxide intoxication. The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation suggests that a lot of deaths have been averted because people wore masks in public. Wearing mask is not a guarantee against Covid-19 but your chances of
infection will definitely reduce.
Be safe, Be healthy.
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