Q: What’s the deal with masks? There is a lot of debate in the community of why/why not we should wear them. Under what circumstances should a person not wear a mask? Are there medical reasons for them to not be recommended?
There is now a sign outside my medical office which states that everyone who enters must be wearing a mask. Some have walked in with bandanas or creative homemade masks with sports teams’ logos, and others have tried to fashion coverings out of T-shirts. I have even had patients try to come in with gauze wrapped around their heads like mummies or even one with a Bounty paper towel taped to his face.
It was not all that long ago that face masks were for surgeons, welders and kids on Halloween. Now, they are part of our daily garb to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
As we have learned more about how this potentially deadly virus spreads, the messages about masks and face coverings have evolved. Back in March, only healthcare workers and those on the “front line” were told to wear masks, as they were in short supply. But soon, facial coverings in public, together with physical distancing and frequent hand washing, became a way to protect others.
Cloth face coverings and even surgical masks do not have the capability of protecting the wearer from the virus. This sneaky virus is small enough to penetrate and get through these types of protection. It is only the tight-fitting N95 respirator masks that can protect the wearer from the virus.
So why is everyone told to wear some type of protective facial covering when around others? It is because the virus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets through coughing, sneezing and even speaking. The masks can reduce the sick person from spreading these droplets to others.
Since it is now believed that up to one-third of patients with this virus are asymptomatic, many may be spreading it without knowing that they have it. When you look at the multitudes of people this past weekend opting to take their masks off around others, it is a very scary scenario.
So who should not wear a mask? The CDC says that facial coverings should not be placed on children younger than 2 years old or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or is incapacitated and unable to remove the cover without assistance.
But what about people worried about their asthma or other lung problems? I have been asked if wearing these cloth coverings can make you inhale too much carbon dioxide. The answer is that these coverings do not fit tightly enough to cause breathing problems for those with lung conditions, and there is no evidence that they can make you dizzy or cause any harm by breathing in too much carbon dioxide.
If you feel uncomfortable in your facial covering, find one with a looser fit. Practice using it at home to see how you feel wearing it. Remember that you do not have to wear one if you are not around others, like driving alone in your car or running or biking on a trail with no one else in sight. Bring it with you in case you happen upon others.
Unless you or a family member is sick, you do not have to wear them at home. Do not use the N95 respirators, as these should be reserved for healthcare workers and they can be much more uncomfortable as they need to be extremely tight fitting to work.
Wearing masks and facial coverings will most likely be a part of the new normal until a successful treatment and vaccine has been made available. As we enter this new phase of starting to leave our homes, please be respectful of others and you can save lives. We are all in this together.
If you have a question for Dr. Raskin, send it in to mypost@palipost.com for a chance to have it answered in an upcoming edition.
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