Throughout the end of this past March, confusing statements on whether or not to wear face masks could be heard emitting from various U.S. communication media. But with all of us still in the coronavirus battle and with cases mounting daily, Americans unanimously (including the White House) seem to be in agreement. Our First Lady, Melania Trump, comments “Even in the summer months, please remember to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.” She continues, “The more precautions we take now can mean a healthier and safer country in the fall.”
Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) enlightens us: “Face coverings work….It’s our major defense to prevent ourselves from getting this (corona) infection. If all of us would put on a (necessary) face covering now for the next four weeks to six weeks, I think we could drive this epidemic to the ground….” Indeed, the slight inconvenience of wearing a face protective covering is well worth curbing this hideous germ in these challenged times.
Jason Gay, of the Wall Street Journal’s July 18-19, 2020 publication, advises “If you’re going to be indoors in a building that is asking you to wear a mask, wear a mask. If you’re in a crowd and not able to social distance, wear a mask.” Face cover-ups do make life a struggle for those hard-of-hearing individuals trying to discern speech from behind the cover. Mask covers can be very difficult to wear especially in hot, humid weather. They also may contribute to the steaming of your glasses. Nevertheless, the journalist says “A mask does not suppress freedom, masculinity, or even beauty.”
Gay adds if there’s some medical reason that a mask can’t be used, businesses usually can come up with an alternative plan for you. As recently as late June, Wall Street Journal reporters, Bojan Pancevski and Jason Douglas, discussed the fact that medical-grade N95 masks can filter tiny viral particles and prevent first responders from catching the virus accordingly from their patients. With these N95 masks being reserved for our “front line warriors,” nevertheless, the reporters mention that medical experts still promote inexpensive handmade cloth (with or without filters) or throw-away surgical masks.
Curistrelief.com explains how a properly fitted mask can provide a two-fold protection for the wearers and those around them when leaving their homes: “For the wearer, it can protect his/her face from large droplets released by someone’s cough, sneeze, speech, or breath…. it can also help block the wearer (who might be among the possible 25% of asymptomatic or no symptom carriers) from exposing others to infectious droplets through the same means.” The website explains that the smaller respiratory droplets, known as aerosols, can travel much farther than the social distancing recommended number of 6 feet. Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have observed airborne aerosols, via a sneeze or a cough, traveling up to 16 and 26 feet, respectively.
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, provides a tutorial on making home-made masks on You-Tube. In addition, other info on how to fit your mask, what materials to use for better cloth masks (using safer filter materials, if chosen) can be found on Google. One recent study showed that the virus can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours. Therefore, it is recommended that you wash and dry your cloth mask after each use. Throw-away masks are only permitted for a few days of usage, depending on the number of hours worn. With Costco, Walmart, and Jewel asking for compulsory wearing of face coverings, do check out local gas stations, stores, and even Huntley’s Farmer’s Market for the purchasing of needed pre-made masks.
It is important to note that the most important protection individuals gain from masking, as discussed in my third paragraph above, is when others in their communities also wear face coverings. As a daily walker, I would especially like to ask my fellow walkers to adhere to the current face mask rule as they observe 6-foot distancing by moving their bodies into grassy curb areas distant from a passing exerciser. No dog masks are required!
