AGAINST MAAKS FOR ALL
The WHO and some experts say surgical masks are not a foolproof way to prevent coronavirus infection. Some concerns asking the entire population to wear masks would lead to a decline in the already- dwindling supplies that should be priorities for frontline health care workers.
IN FAVOUR OF MASKS
* One of the arguments in favor of masks is that the virus may be transmitted through air, and by breathing or talking. Another study, published on Nature, analyzed coronaviruses exhaled by people and concluded that surgical masks " could prevent transmission" from symptomatic individuals.
* In research suggesting the number of asymptomatic cases may be as high as 30% scientists say wearing masks could stop the spread of the virus from people who don't yet know they are sick.
The Asian Example
Wearing a mask was already a social form in several East Asian countries even before the threat of the pandemic
* In Japan, the custom of wearing masks predates the Covid-19 outbreak, starting in the early 20th century with Spanish influenza killing millions worldwide. The 1934 flu epidemic and the 2002 SARS outbreak only cemented the trend, according to a Quartz report. Japan earlier this week said it would provide two cloth masks to each of the 50 million households in the country.
*The practice is also common among other countries like South Korea, Hongkong, and Singapore during the flu season ( and to an extent in some Chinese cities plagued by air pollution )
*Experts say the ability of these countries bro flatten the curve of Covid-19 infections can be attributed not just to the enforcement of restrictions and mass testing, but also the custom of wearing masks. In contrast, the diseases are mounting in Europe and the Us.
THE WEST'S U-TURN
Having told their populations that wearing masks was all but useless against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), several Western countries have performed dramatic U-turns
* US President Donald Trump on Friday urged all Americans to wear a mask when outside although he said he would choose not to do it himself
*Meanwhile, the French Academy of Medicine shifted it's stand and said masks should be made mandatory while Germany's disease control agency also said masks should be worn to 'protect others'
W.H.O'S RETHINK
The World Health Organization, which had said only health care workers and those infected should wear masks, is now reviewing its guidance.
West masks in public places may contain virus spread:
Wearing surgical masks in public spaces may help limit the transmission of viruses, including the ones that causes coronavirus disease or Covid-19, according to a new study, the latest in a growing body of research in favor of masks to stop the deadly contagion.
The study was published in the Journal Nature Medicine on Saturday days after a high- level US scientists panel said the Sars-Cov-2 virus that caused Covid-19 is airborne and can be spread through speech or breathing- contradicting previously held brief that it spreads largely through close contact.
Stars-Cov-2 is part of the coronavirus family, which also caused the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic.
You must be logged in to post a comment.