As the cases of COVID-19 begin to spike again across the country, it’s important to stay steadfast in helping prevent further spread of the virus. While you should continue to wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, avoid touching your face and follow social distancing rules, wearing a mask is an additional step you should also take to stay safe. Its not just about you, but all those around you .Here’s why: As we’ve learned throughout this pandemic, the most common way COVID-19 spreads is through person-to-person contact. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, they produce respiratory droplets that can travel as far as six feet and can land in the mouths or noses of those nearby. COVID-19 can also be spread by people who don’t know they have the virus since they aren’t experiencing any symptoms. Because of this, the doctors and government everyone is urging us to wear a mask and follow social distancing. But , some people just don’t get it ,because they are only bothered about their own convenience and not about the good of all! Really shameful!
Wearing a mask is recommended to add a layer of protection along with frequent hand washes and social distancing. To make sure you are properly protected, there are some things you should and should NOT do when wearing a mask or cloth face covering: Choose a mask that doesn’t have a valve or other openings in it. Make sure it covers your face from the bridge of your nose down to your chin. Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face, making sure there are no gaps. Make sure you can breathe easily through it. Wash it regularly using water and a mild detergent; dry it completely in a hot dryer; store it in a clean container or bag. Do not allow it to slip under your nose and don’t wear it on your forehead or around your neck. Do not put it on a child younger than 2, anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove it without assistance. Do not touch the inside of it, as it may be contaminated from your breathing, coughing or sneezing. Do not share it with others .Make sure your masks are regularly washed and dried .Also remember that just wearing a mask may not keep you from getting COVID-19, it can surely lower the odds. If you’re sick, a mask can help keep your germs from infecting others. If you’re healthy, a mask can help keep respiratory droplets from a sick person, from landing in your nose and mouth. In short, we are all at the lowest risk when everyone wears a mask.
Despite the doctors’ recommendations, there is one big myth out there about the safety of wearing a mask – that it causes you to breath in dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide. This is absolutely untrue! For those who can medically tolerate wearing a mask, there is no science to support claims that wearing a mask can harm you. Health care workers and doctors wear masks daily, often for extended periods of time, without any carbon poising incident. While it may be uncomfortable, this is how we can help protect one another from COVID-19.This is how we can be responsible citizens and help our community. Apart from a face mask , remember that social distancing and hand washing are still very important safety precautions that everyone should follow in addition to immunity raising teas and drinks. We are all in this together and wearing a mask helps protect you and everyone around you, especially those who are at the highest risk. Follow rules. Save lives . Be Safe.
