Should I Wear a Face Mask? CDC Reconsiders its Guidelines During Coronavirus Pandemic
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently debating whether or not to change its guidelines on the personal use of face masks. At present, the CDC website reads: “CDC does not recommend the routine use of respirators outside of workplace settings (in the community).” Instead, they implore people to stay at home, wash their hands frequently, and avoid touching their faces.
But due to the high number of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, the CDC is weighing the benefits of masks. Although wearing a face mask does not guarantee protection against infection, the mask does cut down on the ability of infected people to spread the virus, since it catches droplets and particles that would otherwise find their way onto shared surfaces, like handles and switches. It’s this ability of masks to limit the spread that is informing the CDC and other public health departments around the world.
Two countries with the best track record of combating coronavirus, China and South Korea, urged citizens to wear masks every time they left their homes, going so far as to make them mandatory in China. In South Korea, the government mobilized and intervened to spur production and help with distribution, to ensure everyone had access to face masks.
So why is that the CDC and World Health Organization only recommend medical professionals and caregivers wear face masks at this time? Public health departments are worried that if the public wears masks, it would make it even more difficult for health care workers to have the personal protective equipment they need, leaving them exposed in the most dangerous situations—caring for COVID-19 patients.
Doctor Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, concurred, saying that the major concern now is that medical workers have masks, but if there’s a broader supply in the future, it could be wise to have everyone wearing masks.
President Trump is also reconsidering the use of masks, saying ”We are not going to be wearing masks forever, but it could be for a short period of time after we get back into gear. I could see something like that happening for a period of time.”
So what are the different types of masks under discussion? There are three major kinds of masks being discussed: N95 respirators, surgical masks, and cloth masks. N95 masks are the highest grade mask and should be reserved for health care providers. Their name derives from the fact that they filter out at least 95 percent of airborne particles. The “N” comes from not resistant to oil.
“A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. Most surgical masks are 3-ply. Finally, simple cloth masks offer the lowest level of protection, forming a simple barrier with a piece of material.
What can you do if you can’t find a mask? Make your own! Although there is not a lot of research about how effective homemade masks are, many experts agree they can provide a basic level of protection, and even help people to avoid touching their faces, another major way the disease spreads. So consider making your own face mask that covers your nose and mouth. The thicker the fabric the better! You can find instructions and a video tutorial here.