Why you should continue wearing your masks
With milder COVID-19 infections and faster recovery periods, many people are at ease and have ditched masking. In several countries including certain parts of India, masks are no longer mandatory and there is no penalty for not putting on a face mask anymore. Amid such development, some people still choose to take precautionary measures and wear masks when they visit outdoor or crowded areas. This, according to experts, is called "one-way masking", which means wearing a face mask when others around them are not, despite eased restrictions.
How effective is one-way masking?
One-way masking may not seem very effective, since everyone around you doesn't seem to care too much. But wearing a face mask is still effective, even if you're the only one doing so. This is because face masks help filter all the aerosol droplets and block particles that may have been released by people around you. A high-quality, well-fitted mask does the best job at protecting you from infections.
According to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who consistently wear masks that are both comfortable and well-fitting are less likely to get COVID-19 than those who don't regularly wear face coverings.
Also read: Coronavirus infection: 5 reasons that drive a surge in COVID cases, as per experts
Which mask to use?
The effectiveness of one-way masking can depend on many factors including the kind of face mask you wear.
Talking to Verywell, Vincent Hsu, MD, executive director of infection prevention at AdventHealth Orlando says, “Wearing a well-fitted mask such as an N95 or KN95 is more effective than a cloth or surgical mask, but wearing any quality mask is better than none.”
As per Eric Cioe-Peña, MD, director of global health and emergency department physician at Staten Island University Hospital, "Not all masks are equal. A KN95 or N95 mask protects the wearer significantly against COVID, even if the other people don't wear a mask," reports Health.
"One person wearing a KN95 is better in some studies than both people wearing a surgical mask," he adds.
The CDC also suggests wearing KN95 or N95 face masks for best possible protection against respiratory illnesses.
The many benefits of masking in today's time
Besides protecting against COVID-19, face coverings can also prevent other viral respiratory illnesses such as a flu or common cold.
Additionally, face masks can also protect against air pollution and the respiratory problems that can arise with depleting air quality.
What are the other ways to prevent COVID-19 infection?
While COVID-19 cases are rising again and Omicron subariants prove extremely transmissible, maintaining social distance along with face masking is a great way to protect yourself.
Avoid indoor gathering and get yourself tested as and when you develop mild symptoms. These can resemble a common cold or the flu.
Those who are eligible for the booster vaccines, get yourself vaccinated immediately.
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