7 COVID-19 face masks myths you should not fall for

Wearing a face mask is mandatory now in lots of US states in locations the place social distancing is not attainable, just like the grocery retailer or hair salon. This is to assist forestall the unfold of coronavirus, per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even President Donald Trump, who has lengthy declined to put on one, in July tweeted a photo of himself with a face mask on, calling mask-wearing a “patriotic act.” 

Though we nonetheless have much to learn about the coronavirus, misinformation about face coverings is circulating. For instance, some people who are opposed to mask-wearing have begun donning mesh masks that “cover” their nostril and mouth however nonetheless permit by way of the sorts of droplets known to transmit the virus. And others imagine they needn’t put on a masks if they don’t seem to be experiencing signs — that is a fantasy that is not supported by main well being consultants, medical doctors, scientists or nationwide and worldwide suggestions.

Here are seven myths about carrying face masks throughout the pandemic. This story updates regularly with new data and attracts suggestions from the CDC, the World Health Organization and different well being care establishments. It’s meant for informational functions and is not medical recommendation. If you think you might have the coronavirus, follow these steps.

Read extra: Where to buy a face mask online now

Myth 1: The coronavirus is not actual, so masking is not crucial

More than 18.9 million confirmed cases and over 716,000 deaths attributable to the coronavirus throughout the globe have been reported. Yet some folks nonetheless imagine the virus is either a hoax or overblown. The US alone has had almost 5 million confirmed instances and greater than 161,000 deaths. CNET’s Science Editor Jackson Ryan, who holds a Ph.D. in medical medical sciences, calls antivaccine conspiracies “dangerous and ill-informed.”

Marketwatch reported in July that round one in three Americans imagine the coronavirus hasn’t killed as many individuals as reported. One research reveals that persons are extra more likely to imagine false details about the coronavirus in the event that they get their news from social media.

Many imagine {that a} 26-minute video touting conspiracy theories, known as Plandemic, and its subsequent distribution by way of social media, is partly responsible for spreading COVID-19 untruths. These falsehoods have been repeatedly debunked by the medical and scientific communities.

If you are going out in public or round individuals who aren’t in your family, put on a face masks to guard your self and others. You or the opposite particular person could possibly be sick with out your information, both since you’re asymptomatic, presymptomatic or mistake gentle signs for different causes, e.g. allergy symptoms. People who’re mildly affected can unfold the virus to different populations, together with family members who’re at higher risk of creating extreme types of COVID-19.

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Myth 2: Masks might be fabricated from any materials so long as your face is roofed

With a subset of individuals in opposition to the concept of carrying face masks (“anti-maskers“), a number of sellers on-line are providing mesh and lace masks for buy. The distributors make the declare that the masks are extra breathable. But an open weave does not fulfill the perform of trapping giant respiratory droplets — from speaking, coughing and sneezing — that could contain the coronavirus.

The greatest masks characteristic a tight-knit materials and a filter pocket to assist forestall respiratory droplets from passing by way of the masks. The most protecting masks, N95 respirators, block 95% of tiny particles, including viruses, however throughout the pandemic they have been onerous to return by and organizations have mentioned medical and well being care employees ought to be given first dibs.

A study (PDF) from the University of Arizona discovered that carrying a face overlaying slashed the danger of an infection by 24% for a easy cotton overlaying and as much as 99% for knowledgeable, medical-grade filtration masks. The researchers additionally rank-ordered face mask material from most to least effective of their testing.

Read extra: These face masks were made just for kids

Myth 3: Only sick folks have to put on face masks

Just since you’re not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms doesn’t suggest you are not sick. The CDC cites more than a dozen studies that present asymptomatic or presymptomatic folks can nonetheless unfold the coronavirus, even when they don’t seem to be conscious they’re sick.

The earliest suggestions from the WHO supported the stance that healthy people didn’t need to wear masks, however after extra proof emerged, the group updated its official recommendation.

To forestall transmitting the virus to others, it is most secure to put on a masks any time you are round somebody who is not in your family. It’ll assist decrease the risk of spreading respiratory droplets from speaking, coughing and sneezing.

There’s rising proof that the coronavirus may be airborne, which means it might linger within the air lengthy sufficient for somebody to breathe it in and change into contaminated. Wearing a masks varieties a barrier that traps virus-containing droplets emitted by the wearer. In different phrases, in the event you’re not carrying a masks and also you breathe in the identical air as an contaminated one who additionally is not carrying a masks, your danger of buying the coronavirus will increase. 

Read: MIT engineers design a reusable face mask that could be as effective as an N95

Myth 4: Wearing a medical masks causes you to breathe in additional carbon dioxide

When worn correctly, masks cowl the bridge of the nostril (above the nostrils) and prolong beneath the chin with out gaps on the edges, utterly overlaying your nostril and mouth. 

Some folks counsel that medical masks (also referred to as surgical masks) entice exhaled carbon dioxide and trigger you to breathe in more CO2. The WHO says the extended use of surgical masks doesn’t lead to CO2 intoxication or lack of oxygen. 

Myth 5: You do not must social distance in the event you’re carrying a masks

People put on masks to cut back their likelihood of getting or spreading the coronavirus, like in the event that they’re in a crowded market, at the pool or lake or strolling downtown. However, the WHO says using masks alone isn’t enough to provide a sufficient amount of protection. Unlike N95 masks, which undergo a certification process, there is not any regulatory physique governing the supplies or course of that go into the face masks you buy or make at home. 

For instance, a material masks with just one layer of cloth is not thought of as sturdy as a material masks with three layers and a filter. Meanwhile, N95 masks are licensed, however after a vital scarcity put frontline employees in danger, organizations have mentioned they need to be left for well being care employees.

Along with masks use, you need to proceed to follow bodily distancing, wash your palms regularly and keep away from touching your face. 

Read extra: How to vacation safely during the coronavirus pandemic

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Myth 6: Masks will weaken your immune system

This fantasy stems from the concept that the human immune system is strengthened by publicity to micro organism and different pathogens.

The American Lung Association says there’s no scientific evidence that carrying a masks weakens the immune system. However, even when somebody who will get COVID-19 is younger and wholesome, with out preexisting circumstances, there’s evidence they will and do change into severely ill or account for the spread of the coronavirus. For instance, in California as of Aug. 5, the age group with the best variety of reported instances was 18-34, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Even children are vulnerable to developing a deadly syndrome attributable to the coronavirus, though it is uncommon. It should not be taken flippantly, nonetheless, as schools are reopening throughout the nation.

Washing your palms and carrying a masks will not negatively affect your immune system, particularly in adults who have already got developed immune methods, according to Beaumont Health. If you are involved about having a weakened structure, listed here are five ways to strengthen your immune system.

Myth 7: Cloth masks provide no safety from COVID-19

At the start of the pandemic, the coronavirus was so new that medical doctors had been uncertain of the extent to which carrying material face coverings or home made masks — in contrast with medical-grade surgical or N95 masks — would assist forestall the virus from spreading. 

Studies have since instructed, nonetheless, {that a} masks over the nostril and mouth works as a physical barrier in opposition to respiratory droplets that may carry and unfold the coronavirus. Though a material overlaying alone might not be capable of utterly forestall somebody from buying the coronavirus, CDC Director Robert Redfield mentioned in July that if everybody wore a masks, the COVID unfold would be possible to contain.

Other international locations that required using masks early on within the pandemic have seen the unfold of coronavirus decelerate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Need extra details about face masks? Here’s where you can buy one online, how to make your face mask more comfortable and the best and worst materials for protecting against coronavirus.

The data contained on this article is for academic and informational functions solely and isn’t meant as well being or medical recommendation. Always seek the advice of a doctor or different certified well being supplier relating to any questions you’ll have a few medical situation or well being aims.