To Mask or Not to Mask?
Angela Chaudhuri
Striving to make Everyday Health and Well-being possible for those left behind. Connect-Collaborate-Champion. Perspective Credit: Me!
To Mask or Not to Mask? This isn’t a binary question, it’s really about “when to mask”. I feel the need to chime in, given the vacillations of emotions and decision making around around masks and wearing them. Will I be saved if I wear a mask? Will I breathe into it and die of hypoxia? What is a mask? Is a hanky enough, do I need N95 etc etc. Even the World Health Organisation suggests you only wear a mask when caring for a COVID patient or when you are coughing/sneezing. However, you might ask why then is the Government of India / BBMP et.al making a rule- this is because the WHO made those guidance under the assumption that proper coughing and sneezing etiquette is followed. And while many of us have learnt this in school or from our parents- many more of us have not or do not follow this consistently. Hence when someone ( who does not have a cold/cough allergic or otherwise) is walking around alone or with cohabiting family members keeping distance from others or when there are very few others around or driving their personal transportation like bikes/scooters etc. it’s perfectly acceptable not to wear a mask. In a group exposure is more and once someone sneezes and you’re close-by this can put you at risk. Do follow the local government guidelines- but my appeal to you to understand the science and logic behind this. Those with zero symptoms ( asymptomatic) keeping distance will keep us safe. When distance is not possible- wearing a mask keeps you safe from others who may have symptoms, and when you have symptoms ( any cold/cough) wear it when you’re about to meet people ( with or without COVID) as a general rule. Masks can be hankies, cloth masks etc and not necessarily medically approved masks. And even if you wear masks, don’t forget to keep your hands clean and maintain distance ( as as humanly possible) wherever you are. #StayHealthy #StayClean #StaySafe and #StayHome when you can!