2023-08-31 19:30:00
In the US, the rebound in covid-19 cases is driven by the spread of the Eris variant, a subvariant of Ómicron (Getty Images)
As new variants of COVID-19 gain ground, reinfections become more frequent, and cases increase in certain areas, some schools and businesses in the US are once more requiring the use of masks. Experts say it makes sense to increase precautions, including a return to wearing masks.
“I often say that if you’re going out, make sure you have a mask in the car and a pair at home or at work, so you always have something on hand to wear,” said Andrew Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Here’s an overview of where, when, and how to wear a mask.
Since May, the public health emergency has ceased to apply in the US, so there is no longer accurate statistics as before on reported cases (Getty)
Each person’s tolerance for risk varies, said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; however, if you are age 65 or older, have a pre-existing condition that makes you more vulnerable to serious illness, or are pregnant.
Dr. Schaffner recommends wearing a mask whenever you are in a relatively small and crowded enclosed space. For example, shops, offices and public transport.
“Indeed, every time another person enters the room, especially if they are from 1 to 1.5 meters away, the chances of you catching it increase exponentially,” Pekosz added.
Weather plays a role, too: rushing in and out of a crowded grocery store, for example, is less risky than working all day in a busy office. Ten minutes is a good indicator to keep in mind, according to Pekosz. If you are going to be indoors for longer, you may want to consider wearing a mask.
Faced with the increase in COVID cases, experts affirm that it is logical to increase precautions, including the return to the use of masks (EFE)
In general, outdoor transmission is rare, but if you’re in a setting where people are “crowded together and screaming,” Schaffner explained, such as at a sporting event or concert, you may want to wear a mask. .
Linsey Marr, an expert on airborne virus transmission at Virginia Tech, noted that a good rule of thumb to avoid catching COVID-19 is to wear a mask when you’re around others: “When you’re in settings where you can reach out and touch someone.
Marr recommends N95, KN95 or KF94 masks, which filter more than 90% of virus particles, he said, making them much more effective than cloth or surgical masks in reducing the chances of getting infected. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a list of resources where you can find free N95 masks.
Those who are 65 years of age or older, have a pre-existing disease that makes them more vulnerable to serious illnesses, or pregnant women, should take greater precautions to avoid getting COVID because they are risk groups (Gettty).
Experts say that a mask must fit perfectly to the face and cover both the nose and the mouth; using it below the nose will protect you very little from the virus.
A high-quality mask “does wonders to protect you from contagion, but you have to put it on the right way,” Pekosz said. “If you don’t fit the metal piece around your nose and it’s loose, you may be breathing around the mask, not through it, and that’s not going to protect you.”
Some experts estimate that a mask can be worn for a total of regarding 40 hours before it is time to replace it. If you notice that it is frayed, wrinkled, has new holes or is dirty, you should change it before that period, Marr said. If your mask is uncomfortable or feels like it’s moving too much on your face, Marr recommends trying different brands to find the best fit.
After contracting COVID, it is convenient to use face masks and reinforce hygiene and distancing measures for 10 days (Getty)
If you get the dreaded message that someone you’ve been with recently has tested positive for COVID-19, CDC they recommend that you put on a high-quality mask as soon as possible and continue to wear it for a full 10 days when around people. Even if the test result is negative, the agency recommends wearing a face covering in indoor public places. According to Pekosz, symptoms can take several days to appear and testing too early can lead to false negatives.
Even if you are the only person wearing one on the subway or in your office, a high-quality mask can significantly reduce the risk of contagion. “You’ll be pretty well protected,” said Yvonne Maldonado, a Stanford Medicine professor of global health and infectious diseases, because you’re shielding your face from the particles around you.
There are other ways to increase your defenses once morest the virus: sanitize your hands before touching your face, keep a healthy distance, and get an updated booster when new vaccines become available.
Although many people are exhausted by this prolonged pandemic, Maldonado stressed that it is important to remember that we have tools to reduce risk. “The masks work, period,” she concluded. “Whether you decide to use them or not is another matter, but they certainly work.”
*This article originally appeared in The New York Times
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