Behold, the million-dollar question.
Up till the start of 2020, the highly divisive question seemed to be of the “to pineapple on pizza, or not to pineapple on pizza?”nature.
Oh, to go back to the good ol’ days.
The beginning of the new decade kicked off a new caliber of controversy – the mask on, or the mask off debate. In light of the recent coronavirus pandemic, a burning question has plagued the minds of many. On one hand, a portion of health professionals and academics have been urging the public to not stockpile face masks and to only wear one under certain circumstances. On the other hand, other professionals and netizens have been faithful to the protection provided by these masks, such as the n95 mask, no asterisks included. The debate is far from being in black and white territory – a haze of grey engulfs it.
According to the official WHO website, here’s what you need to know.
When to use a mask :
- If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.
How to put on, use, take off and dispose of a mask :
- Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
- Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
- To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of the face mask? Let us know in the comment section below!
Header Image : Market Watch