Coronavirus: Places you should compulsorily wear a mask to avoid the risk of Delta variant

Despite a drop in cases post the second wave, we are still facing a massive threat from the mutant Delta variant of the SARS-COV-2 virus, spreading across the world. Known for its high infectibility and the ability to surpass some of the generated antibodies, the Delta variant has led to reimposed lockdowns and a greater need for COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. There's also a change in guidance around masking in several places across the world.

While vaccines alone cannot guarantee us protection from the variant, there's now a greater need of masking which needs to be put in place. Double masking has been proven to be highly effective and protective against the variant. The risk of airborne transmission has also made it extremely important to follow all preventive measures.

Coronavirus vaccines offer a good level of protection against the Delta variant and added complications. Yet, masks offer strong base level protection at a time when there's an active COVID-19 threat.

Masks, for one, protect in two different ways- the infected one, and others in contact. For an infected person, a good quality mask can filter the viral particles being exhaled and at the same time, for a person who is in contact or who hasn't been infected, it significantly limits the number of viral particles that can come in and spread the infection. This has been something seen ever since the pandemic began, and still holds true.

With the second wave, the use of double masking has also become all the more trustable, since it offers double the protection limit and minimizes the spread of respiratory droplets that may contain the virus. Thus, masks are one of the best preventive measures to cut down on viral spread and transmission rates.

We tell you some risky places where masks must be still used, even if you are fully vaccinated:

Indoor spaces can be a great place for airborne viral particles to collect and settle in dim, poorly-ventilated spaces, and thus, can become a high-risk setting for the spread of coronavirus. While outdoor spaces can limit the spread of the virus to a good extent (provided there's a lot of open space and fewer crowds), indoor places where they may not be a safety bubble (ergo, of people who have been vaccinated and known to have zero risk of infection spread) can be quite contagious. More so, if you are around people who may be partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated, the risk threshold can be high. Ventilation, cleaning and disinfection of places must be paid attention to and not taken lightly.

The surge in cases may have stopped, but it's still not the time to rush back to normalcy. Vaccination offers a certain level of reassurance, but gathering in huge numbers, not paying heed to social distancing or not maintaining safety bubbles can pose a big threat. Weddings, processions or funerals- wherever there may be chances of crowds collecting, or ample chances to gather are not the wisest place to let the masks come off. Even if there is a gathering, the emphasis is on having smaller crowds, that will limit the risk of infection to an extent- and not crowd.

Even before the virus began to dominate across the globe, grocery stores and shopping outlets were considered to be the germiest places to visit and right now too, they are high-risk places. Visits to such places may be essential but with the Delta variant, it's crucial that masks be kept on, and if possible, double masking be followed through. Highly visited, essential stores may be a place where there can be crowds collecting, or for you to have possible contact with someone who is at risk since it is absolutely impossible to know who may be, and who may not be vaccinated. The presence of high-risk surfaces also adds to the risk. Hence, while a vaccine would be able to limit the chances and severity of your infection, it's vital that masking and sanitization still be done to safeguard one's health. Prefer visiting during non-peak hours, if you are vulnerable to heightened risks, limit your visits.

With cases coming down, people are rushing outdoors to travel. This is also being termed as the revenge travel trend and unfortunately, has also led to a lot of crowding and spurt of cases. However, even if you are planning to travel or relax while you go out, do remember that this is a scenario where your masks cannot just come off. There can be huge crowds, poor distancing and safety measures, which can still put you at the risk of infection.

Even while you travel via a bus, train or flight, there’s a high risk since there can be both vaccinated and unvaccinated people onboard. Management of crowding may not also be possible, and hence, a mask (or double masking) would be the best possible way to keep yourself safe.