What if we shift our focus away from protective care to preventive care We may become self-sufficient at last
The Governments in several countries have made it clear that failure to wear face masks will result in the public being faced with hefty fines. The concept that a mask can prevent the spread of COVID-19 continues to remain debatable. Despite the curtailment of droplets in crowded places, there are disadvantages to wearing a face mask, especially for long periods.
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Rajesh S Jain, CEO – JG Group
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Since the beginning of the outbreak, there has been ambiguity with how effectual masks could contain the spread but in recent light of the evidence, several international experts have unanimously admitted that the face mask cannot completely eliminate the threat of COVID-19. Initially, it was gloving that health professionals deemed as potentially hazardous, now, masks also face the same critique posing severe risks for the wearers.
As we started to navigate life beyond the stay-at-home orders, masks have made their way to numerous closets as more of a fashion accessory in comparison to being used as a necessity. The benefits of using masks to prevent contraction of the virus should be weighed against possible respiratory consequences linked with extended use of the aforementioned. Under the right circumstances, face masks are helpful to reduce infection transmission and they are recommended especially for healthcare workers. On the contrary, wearing a mask to walk down the street while social distancing has no benefit at all and simply wastes resources, as there is no evidence that the virus could or would exist in infectious amounts in outside air. In fact, it would cause a decreased airflow and worsen breathlessness. Moreover, a fraction of carbon dioxide previously exhaled is inhaled at each respiratory cycle causing increased breathing frequency and deepness, particularly while exercising. Not only this but re-inhalation of exhaled air creates oxygen deficiency and flooding of carbon-dioxide resulting in severe brain damages.
Comprehending from a normal human perspective, what exactly happens when someone initiates a cough or sneeze Especially while they are wearing the mask on the face, do you think that the deadly virus or bacteria would be eliminated from our body No, these contagious particles continue to remain on the surface of the mask while we resume our breathing process. Ultimately this affects our body’s in-house mechanism to remove the harmful foreign particles and further creates more stress on the body, leading to various other infections and medical issues.
If one has or is under the assumption of having contracted the COVID-19, one should self-quarantine and remove the mask, as it will worsen the clinical condition of infected people if the enhanced breathing pushes the viral load down into their lungs. By wearing a mask, the exhaled infectious viruses, not limited only to coronavirus, will not be given a chance to escape and will further penetrate into the nasal passages.
Face masks can foster a false sense of security and prolonged contact has to be balanced with one’s need for a real breath of fresh air.
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