Wearing a mask is undeniably an essential element in the fight against COVID. Wearing a face mask, however, does not mean that you have a carte blanche to continue life as normal. Read on to find out why wearing a mask can increase the risk of getting COVID. And if you feel under the weather, go for the “emergency signs” that you have severe COVID, according to the Mayo Clinic.
According to a study of January 2021 published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, researchers from the Larner College of Medicine of the University of Vermont found that individuals who regularly wear masks are at greater risk of contracting COVID because they ignore other public safety protocols. In the study, which removed essential workers with higher daily contacts from the analyzed data set, it was found that individuals who regularly wore masks had more contact with others on a daily basis than those who did not wear masks regularly. As such, those who wore masks but ignored other COVID safety recommendations eventually developed the virus higher than those who did not wear masks but had less social contact.
Similarly, individuals living in multi-unit units, such as apartment buildings, are more likely to develop COVID than those living in single-family homes.
“When you wear a mask, you may feel misleading that you are being protected and have more interaction with other people,” he said. Eline van den Broek-Altenburg, the lead researcher of the study and an assistant professor and vice-chair of Population Health Science in the Department of Radiology at the Larner College of Medicine, in a statement.
“Masks do not give you a free pass to see as many people as you want,” Van den Broek-Altenburg added, noting that even people who wear masks regularly still have to “restrict” contact with others.
The study reflects the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that people should be vigilant regarding mask wear and social distance.
“Masks should still be worn if staying at least 6 feet apart, especially if it is indoors around people who do not live in your household,” the CDC recommends.
However, if you wear a mask, the type of face covering you choose is a critical factor in terms of your safety. Read on to see which masks may endanger your health, and if you are concerned that you may be infected, this common pain may actually be a COVID symptom.
Read the original article Best life.
1
Masks that do not fit
The CDC does not warn against wearing masks that are split or loose or too tight. Instead, the agency recommends wearing masks with a firm fit around both your nose and chin without splitting at the sides. And if you’m worried about COVID in your area, these are the only states where COVID is still rising.
2
Masks of materials which are difficult to breathe through
Although you do not want your mask to let breathing drops in or out, masks that limit your breathability – such as those made of leather or vinyl – are also not a safe choice. The CDC recommends that you use non-medical disposable masks, or masks made of materials such as cotton, which provide protection but do not obstruct breathing.
3
Masks made of loosely woven material
If you can see light through the fabric of your mask, it does not provide you with adequate protection. Instead, the CDC recommends wearing a mask of fabric with a tight fabric, which means you can not see light through it when held in front of a lamp or other source of lighting. And for the latest COVID news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
4
Single layer masks
Your single mask may be comfortable, but it is not a safe option to wear in public. If you want to protect yourself and others, your CDC mask should contain two or three coats.
5
Masks with holes or valves
Those air vents or valves on your mask do exactly what you wear to prevent them – breathing drops can go in and out. And if you want to protect yourself, the CDC has just issued this disturbing COVID warning.
6
Scarves or ski masks
Although the CDC recommends wearing a ski mask as a primary way to protect yourself or others, this does not mean that you should give it up completely when it is cold outside. However, if you are going to wear a ski mask for warmth, the CDC suggests wearing it over your breathable, multilayer mask, and warns, “Scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas do not replace masks.”