12/06/2020
There is so much missing or misrepresented information out there.
Today, I’m compelled to uncover some of the information that has been covered up regarding masks.😷
There seems to be widely varying recommendations regarding masks and their effectiveness, depending greatly on where you live.
For instance, I know many people who have been led to believe that If they just wear a mask, they aren’t going to get Covid-19. I think the results are proving that this simply isn’t entirely true.
What we DO KNOW is that wearing a mask can be a tool to decrease the risk of being infected by the virus. It is not going to prevent the spread of the virus.
We do know that the average person touches their face more than 400 times a day. (I probably touch my face many more than that.) We also know that if you are wearing a mask, scarf, or some other type face covering, that were are more conscientious of not touching our face, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. For this reason, masks can be quite effective in helping us not being infected with an illness. Masks do become dirty while we wear them and can harbor many pathogens. If we are not thoughtful and careful in how we handle masks, they can become problematic.
Additionally, masks are not recommended for people who already have lung and breathing issues.
However, for the person who IS infected with the virus and may be shedding the virus, the masks have proven to be helpful in reducing the spread. The mask does reduce the amount of virus that is expelled from the infected person. It’s not perfect and it won’t stop all the particles from escaping into the surrounding environment. Yet, even a minuscule amount of virus that is kept from contaminating the surrounding area will slow the spread of the virus.
Conclusion:
Masks are not perfect and they are not a 100% prevention method, but they are a beneficial tool.
I would never encourage someone who is healthy, to wear a mask while you are outside and exercising and you are already socially distancing. It is not good for your body to have the restriction on oxygen intake or the concentrated exhaust to be congested by the mask.
I’m going to take this a step further and share my personal beliefs regarding the masks.
I believe that everyone should be able to make the choice to wear a mask based on their personal needs. I do not believe that it is right that any government mandate a medical practice on the mass public with no regard to an individual’s medical and health history. Giving the public all the information, what we do know and what we don’t know is crucial!
I greatly appreciate those individuals who may unknowing be infected and chose to wear a mask in public. I hope that everyone who is knowingly infected would choose to stay home and allow others who are well, to help them so that they do not have to risk infecting others. But please, don’t leave the house without a mask if you are infected. Please understand that even if you are not feeling bad, you can continue to infect others for weeks to come. The average infected person continues to shed the virus for 20-37 days, even after the symptoms have vanished.
I am 100% against the shaming of anyone who has a differing opinion about the personal use of a mask!
If it relieves someone’s anxiety of contracting the virus by wearing a mask- WONDERFUL! That’s a good thing!
The more we relax and don’t carry stress with us, the healthier our immune system is.
If you are a proponent of wearing a mask, please DO NOT shame others for not wanting to wear a mask!
There are vast numbers of our population that have PTSD and are triggered by wearing a mask and having their nose and mouth covered.
If you are someone who calls them "selfish" or “careless", I implore you to Stop It! You do not know anyone else’s struggles or story. You don’t know the trauma they have experienced or the PTSD that they live with, the debilitating anxiety and panic attacks that are being triggered by having something covering up their face.
Please stop shaming people for their choices when you don’t know their reasons why.