It’s becoming clear that the primary transmission mechanism for COVID-19 is when an infected person exhales droplets that travel through the air and can be inhaled directly, or that can land on surfaces or hands that subsequently touch the mouth, nose or eyes. If the person coughs, sneezes, or talks, the range and number of droplets increases and the danger goes up.
Face Masks work two ways:
- For the person who doesn’t have COVID, their mask reduces exposure to these droplets from others, since the mask filters a percentage of the air that the person inhales. However, without eye protection, the person is still susceptible to having droplets contact them. Also, if the person doesn’t wash their hands after the encounter, and then touches their face, they could transmit the virus to their mouth or eyes.
- For the person who has COVID-19, the mask greatly reduces the number of viral particles that are exhaled, either through breathing or talking. The mask on the infected person (who may not have any symptoms!) provides a great deal of protection to those around him, since to a certain extent, it stops the droplets at the source.
What this means, especially since those who have the infection frequently don’t know it (they are asymptomatic):
- Masks that I wear protect others
- Masks that others wear protect me
Not wearing a mask…
- IS NOT an indication of bravery or fearlessness
- IS an indication of carelessness, selfishness or callousness
We should all wear masks when in public for the good of our fellow citizens.
Still not clear? Since the virus particles in droplets from an infected person are clearly something dangerous, but not necessarily visible, the cartoon below gives an analogy using a different substance that a person might produce. It illustrates (in terms that a 14 year old boy would appreciate) the benefits of a mask for the wearer, and also for people around the wearer.
If you’re not amused by crude humor, please don’t continue with this article. The important points are all above – this cartoon is only designed to make the point in a way that nearly anyone could understand!
And for those who are more visually oriented…
