As Covid continues to spread across the country, it may be time to change the approach to your facial mask, especially now that Omicron variants, BA.1 and BA.2, have entered the scene. When the first case of Covid-19 was found in India, doctors recommended the first and foremost thing to do a mask. It will help prevent the virus from spreading and infecting people.Also read – Delta or new covid variants could cause other coronavirus outbreaks, the study claims. Deets inside
The way masks are used has completely changed in the last two and a half years of the epidemic. People have adopted different strategies of wearing masks to keep the infection at bay. But have you ever wondered if double masking can really save you from the Covid-19 transition? Newer variants are considered to have an easier time building with our cells, thus the more layers we cover our nose and mouth, the less likely we are to be exposed to viruses that can infect our cells and make us sick. Also read – Delhi Kovid Update: The city has witnessed a sharp decline in 799 cases
Here’s what you need to know about double-masking, including how to apply it, so you can be as safe as possible against COVID-19 Also read – The fourth wave of Kovid in India? Amid rising cases, a professor at IIT-Kanpur made a big prediction. Read the details
Double masking to protect from COVID? There is a tweak
In a recent study, a team of U.S. researchers revealed that double-masking may not protect against Covid-19, but it does increase the risk of infection as well as transmission of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Yes, you read that right! Studies published in Physics of Fluids suggest that double masking with improperly fitted masks “cannot significantly improve the functionality of the mask and create a false sense of safety”.
Speaking to the media, the study’s lead author said, “More layers mean less porous face cover, which leads to more flow from the perimeter distance (sides, top and bottom) in a less secure fitted mask.” He further added that double layers not only increase filtering efficiency with good mask fit but can also cause shortness of breath.
Many people across the country wear masks, even two to three layers of masks, but many of them don’t even realize that the way they are masking makes things easier for the covid virus. “I find that many people do not wear face masks properly. This way they are more likely to catch COVID-19, ”said Dr. Patience said.
During the early days of the epidemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a mask guideline stating that loosely woven fabric masks provide the least protection against covid, and N95 and KN95 masks provide the most.
So, from now on, whenever you wear your mask, make sure that it fits well and is really covering your nostril area and mouth properly.
(With IANS inputs)
