Jerome M. Adams, the surgeon general, urged the public to cease buying masks and warned that this won’t help prevent the COVID-19 spread; however, it will remove important resources from the health care.
He wrote in a Twitter ‘seriously people-STOP BUYING MASKS!’ and added that the masks aren’t effective in averting the catching of the virus; but, if health care professionals don’t have enough to take proper care for the hospitalized people, our community is at risk.
Panicked Citizens Are Buying Masks in Frenzy
This plea comes as consumers buy masks online, including the so-called N95s- a surge which has caused increase in the prices and a pile of fake products.
The surgeon general said in another tweet that the best method for protection is regular hand washing and to stay home if you’re feeling sick.
This isn’t the sole plea aimed at citizens concerning their frenzied purchase of masks- worldwide health experts are warning people to stop buying masks if they’re not sick or not caring for a person who’s sick.
Medical Personnel Needs Face Masks the Most
Medical personnel is in need of a large amount of masks since they come into direct contact with the infected patients and have to change their masks all the time.
According to Dr. Michael J. Ryan, there are serious strains on protective gear worldwide. He’s the executive director of the health emergency program at the WHO.
Their main concern is to make sure all of the medical staff on the front line has proper protection and gear necessary for doing their work.
Dr. Ryan further explained that masks serve to avert a person from transferring a disease to another person and that there are limits to how this mask can keep you safe from an infection.
He also added that’s vital to wash our hands, don’t touch our faces all the time, and practice detailed and regular hygiene.
The CDC instructed health workers to use masks N95s that are known to be thicker, fit tighter around the mouth and nose, and can block much smaller particles than surgical masks.
The guidelines of the WHO are that health workers use surgical masks to cover their mouth and nose area.
Both masks are able to avert the droplet spreading from one’s coughing or sneezing; however, according to medical specialists, for the average public member, they’re generally not effective.
We’re more likely to get an infection through the touch of a contaminated surface or from droplets travelling in the air. Dr. Ryan also explained that not having a mask doesn’t mean that you’re at a higher risk of COVID-19.
Who Should Wear Facial Masks?
Face masks are recommended for the people with respiratory infection symptoms like sneezing, coughing or fever, as well as for caretakers and health care workers.
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