Can wearing a face mask protect you from the new coronavirus?

Can wearing a face mask protect you from the new coronavirus?

The answer is no, wearing a surgical mask won’t protect you from the novel corona virus.

Can wearing a face mask protect you from the new coronavirus?(Image credit: © Shutter-stock)

Can wearing a mask can protect you from corona virus (COVID-19)?  Is now a day a common question, everyone is asking.  

If it’s a regular surgical mask that we use in our daily life when we go out, then the answer is no, it can’t protect you from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

For protection against coronavirus, a more specialized masks are used which are called N-95 respirator which can protect against coronavirus which is also known as SARS-CoV2. The advantage of N-95 respirator is that it is thicker than a normal surgical mask to give better protection. But at this stage none of the centers of disease control are advising these masks.

The reason for not advising N-95 masks is that it is challenging to wear these masks all day in our routine life. Even health care workers get annual training of wearing these masks because breathing through a thick material is tough and a person wearing that mask may breathe from sides in which case, N-95 mask will be useless. Although anyone can stockpile these masks through online purchase but it will create shortage of these masks for health care workers, who need them most in their daily work routine. This is also a reason for not announcing N-95 masks as preventive masks for coronavirus.

N-95 Respirator (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Surgical Masks:

The thinner surgical mask is usually used by surgeon as such type mask do a good job during surgeries in prevention of entry of pathogens and microbes from surgeon’s nose and mouth to surgical field.

Surgical Mask (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Although it is common practice to see people wearing surgical masks when going outside but these surgical masks can’t protect against viruses because these are not designed to protect against viruses. These are designed to protect against bacteria and some other pathogens.

Some people use surgical mask when they have flu or cold to protect other people from flu but in this case the best thing to do, is not to go outside of their homes or public places.

People who have been affected from coronavirus should wear masks in order to protect people around them. Health care workers and those who are managing patients infected with coronavirus (COVID-19) should also use masks as recommended by CDC & WHO. Those using surgical masks should also dispose these masks after each use.

The best way to protect you from coronavirus is to delay visit to places where coronavirus is affection people. Wash your hands thoroughly, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Related: 6 Basic Protective Measures Against the New corona virus (COVID-19)

Earlier symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection are fever, difficulty in breathing and coughing. Some cases may become better after few days and other may worsen or may go to death phase. Death in patients of coronavirus usually comes from respiratory difficulty.

Although researchers are looking to find more convenient management for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but still there is no cure for this disease at present.