Lately, much chatter in the media, as well as talk heard ’round my neighborhood, leads to one simple question. Do masks prevent the spread of Coronavirus? The answer is yes. A recent study shows wearing masks could reduce the incidence of Coronavirus by 80% or more. Are masks perfect? No. Do they work really well? Yes.
Do Masks Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus?
Recently Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus response coordinator, emphasized there is “clear scientific evidence” that masks work. On top of that, the Annals of Internal Medicine just published a landmark analysis of 64 studies finding that masks prevent the spread of Coronaviruses and other airborne illnesses.
Half Of Americans Stay Home Due To Coronavirus
The US is plowing ahead with opening businesses to restart the economy. Unfortunately, more than half of Americans don’t yet want to leave their homes to patronize these businesses. One simple way to address this problem is to commit as a country to wearing masks.
Is Coronavirus Spread Through The Air?
Furthering mask initiatives around the US, an esteemed panel of experts from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) stated that because Coronavirus is aerosolized and lingers in the air, masks are a good option for preventing its spread. In their formal letter, the NAS panel let the current administration know that Coronavirus is transmitted not only through sneezing and coughing, but also by speaking and breathing. In effect, the Coronavirus is an airborne disease. This is why masks work, they prevent the virus from being emitted, or sprayed (heavily via sneezing, or lightly by breathing) from infected persons to others. Masks prevent the virus from spreading into and pooling in the air. For this same reason, it’s safer to be outdoors than inside, because in this scenario the virus is dispersed, rather than concentrated. Still, masks are needed both inside and outside to protect our population from infected individuals, prevent its spread, and open up our economy quickly.
Think Of Coronavirus As Glitter
It may help to think of Coronavirus as glitter. A mask is going to stop those who may have COVID-19 from efficiently spreading corona-glitter to others. In a recent article in the Washington Post, Joseph Allen from the School of Public Health at Harvard emphasizes that masks prevent the spread of Coronavirus very effectively. Getting this information out so that more people comply with wearing masks will unite our country around a cheap yet effective initiative that erases the false dichotomy between health and economics because it addresses both with fairly little effort.
What Types of Masks Are Protective Against Coronavirus?
Dr. Harvey Fineberg, head of the NAS committee that sent the letter on the effectiveness of mask use to the current administration, said he would wear a mask to the grocery store, and that among other options, items ranging from a bandana to a balaclava would work well in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. Handpicked by the current administration, Dr. Fineberg leads the NAS Standing Committee Requested by White House in Response to Coronavirus.
Masks Save Lives
I interviewed Dr. Todd Dorfman, Director of EMS for Boulder County Colorado about the use of masks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. He states, “Face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as social distancing, help slow the spread of the disease,” adding, “Asking everyone to wear cloth masks can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by people who have the disease but don’t realize it. Countries that required face masks early in the pandemic seem to have had the best success slowing the disease’s spread.” He pointed out that these countries also used testing far earlier and more frequently than the US at the outset of the pandemic in January.
To Mask Or Unmask
Unfortunately, asking our citizens to do the right thing when it comes to Coronavirus may not be that simple because mask use is now a very heated topic. Here in Colorado, a man walked into a restaurant in Aurora, just outside Denver. He was told he needed to wear a mask to be served. In response, he shot a restaurant employee. Thankfully, we can all agree that this extreme overreaction is not even close to an appropriate response under any circumstances.
Japan Used Masks To Prevent Spread of Coronavirus
On the other hand, an article in Forbes called New Study Shows That This One Thing Could Cause 80% Decrease in COVID-19 Cases, points out that while the US is slowly trying to reopen, Japan didn’t ever really close.
The Land of the Rising Sun has had no lockdown, no stopped subways and most businesses have remained open.
As of this writing, the US has suffered over 100,000 Coronavirus deaths, yet Japan has endured less than 1,000. While Japan’s population is around one-third of ours, they’ve suffered 1% of the deaths incurred here in the US. Why? One reason is that the Japanese have willingly used masks while waiting for a cure.
How To Use A Mask Properly To Prevent Coronavirus Spread
Dr. Dorfman pointed out that The Mayo Clinic has a simple, reasonable set of instructions for putting on and taking off a cloth mask:
- Place your mask over your mouth and nose
- Tie it behind your head or use ear loops and make sure it’s snug
- Don’t touch your mask while wearing it
- If you accidentally touch your mask, wash or sanitize your hands
- Remove the mask by untying it or lifting off the ear loops without touching the front of the mask or your face
- Wash your hands immediately after removing your mask
- Regularly wash your mask with soap and water in the washing machine, it’s fine to launder with other clothes
President Trump’s Surgeon General Recommends Wearing A Mask
It’s true, when there was a shortage, the Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Robins, advised against the use of masks. This was when we were in the initial stages of Coronavirus, unprepared, and perilously short on personal protective equipment (PPE). However, he now not only recommends mask-wearing but has a video demonstrating how to make one.
Why Didn’t Vice President Pence Wear A Mask At The Mayo Clinic
Prior to his visit, the Mayo Clinic briefed the Vice President’s team on their mandatory mask-wearing policy. Unfortunately, he did not comply. During this tragic time with so many lives lost, and little to no way to properly grieve them, it is more important than ever to show patriotism by protecting our medical warriors in any way we can. More people have died in the last 2 months than in the Korean and Vietnam wars combined. We can easily protect our front line heroes at places like the Mayo Clinic with little to no sacrifice. Why not wear a mask in public? Especially when you cannot social distance.
Why Doesn’t President Trump Wear A Mask?
Perhaps this administration thinks it would be a show of weakness to don masks everywhere. However, it’s not too late to lead by example. It would demonstrate inspiring strength and bravery for our highest public officials to wear masks in public.
Will You Wear A Mask To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus?
Do masks stop the spread of Coronavirus completely? No. Are they perfect? No. But let’s not allow perfect to be the enemy of the good. Masks save lives. The important thing is that we don’t let nuances deter us from the most important public causes when it comes to health. Will you wear a mask?
Jeri wentzel says
I admire and appreciate you! Your kindness and generosity is such a breath of fresh air!
I believe a sense of fear has been planted in our minds that has made us crazy. Some people fear the government is planning to take control of our lives by telling us what we can and cannot do. Others fear that so many people are not making proper choices and it is the role of the government to make everyone behave properly.
I’m going to cling to freedom.
We need to listen to people we respect and behave accordingly. I will wear a mask when in public, encourage going back to work and keep a distance from people not wearing a mask. (Without yelling at them or giving them dirty looks. )
Another fear is the hypocrisy and lies we have to deal with.
Be safe…and Be free❣️
Elana says
Jeri, totally agree. No yelling and giving people dirty looks.
Rebecca says
My government makes me wear a mask in stores and public transport. Do I like sweating under the fabric? No. Will I continue to wear a mask, even if the law is lifted? Yes! I want to protect the people who can’t wear a mask (health condition, young children). I could be contagious at any time without knowing. I don’t want to spread the glitter further.
Elana says
Rebecca, well said. We wear masks for those who cannot. I don’t want to spread the glitter either, not this kind anyway.
Rex P says
Well put!!!! I am retired military medic and if these people knew the classes all military people had to take just in basic training on bacterial warfare, chemical warfare and viruses they would be wearing a mask and going further with eye protection and a hand and body sanitizer. Thank you for going the extra mile with your email address on this very dangers of this virus.
Elana says
Rex, I cannot thank you enough for serving our great country!
Julie says
Thank you for focusing this post on the science and benefits of wearing a mask, Elana. I’ve been wearing a mask, both for myself and for others. Your post has inspired me to double down on my efforts and to be even more consistent in using them. Previously I had been removing my mask upon sanitizing my hands and leaving a store. Now I’ll wait until I’m in my car because of the way the virus is aerosolized.
P.S. When submitting this comment, I notice that you won’t post it until it’s approved. I commend you for posting earlier comments that disagree with your position. Your willingness to hear dissent tells me you’re confident yet still open-minded. That’s the sign of a lifelong, humble seeker of truth!
Elana says
Julie, yes, posting every single comment. My favorite ones are those that disagree with me. Variety is truly the spice of life!
Marina says
No, thanks. I will not wear one. And no need to knock Trump and Pence.. if you want to share your thoughts on the science behind masks, fine. This is your page and you can write whatever you want on it. But this was clearly very political. No need to pretend that we’re only talking about masks here.
Elana says
Marina, I agree, it’s important to about all aspects of masks and I’m glad we live in such a great country that we can do so.
Eve Nunes says
We are wearing masks in my family, Elana. And I really appreciate your candor about so many things. We enjoyed your caraway seed bread recipe tonight and my nine year-old daughter is planning to have it again in the morning with Kerry Gold butter and some marmalade, yum!
Elana says
Thanks Eve, glad you all liked the bread!
Marie says
It says right on the box wearing the mask does not protect against CV. Why do you say they do? Please show me the long term studies that would prove that. I have found none. These so called experts first told us that CV had such small nano particles that masks would not filter out this CV. They told us wearing a mask would have no benefit. Wearing a mask actually lowers your immune system, is detrimental to our health and not suppose to be worn for long periods. Do you think it’s good to breath in your own CO2? People are wearing the same mask day after day, touching them, their masks become contaminated. Next will be the vaccine (research what they are putting in them and how they intend to have RFID tracking and DNA changing components). Then the quantum dot tattoo. Been researching extensively about all this, on both sides. Looking at the bigger picture here and I know a great deal of what is being put out there are lies, deceptions, and all about trying to make us live in fear which is also harmful to our well being. Only about 0.03% of the people in the world died from CV, (about 1 in every 21,000 people, and 75-85% of those in the US were in nursing homes) 98.6% recover. Many doctors have said they were told to write people died from CV when in fact they died of other causes. I am not living my life in fear and panic. I am not going to wear a mask. Fauci said there is no reason to wear a mask, one thing he said that is true. He has connections to vaccines companies and Bill Gates and the plan to vaccine the entire world. Check out who he is married to. He stands to gain much from this. There was no reason we should have been on lock down. In Japan where people are packed together had no lockdown and had less get it then us. Do the research and search out the truth. You will be surprised and discover this is all about submission and them getting total control over us. I am healthy and will stay healthy. There is HCQ for those that do get “it” and it has an extremely high rate and quick recovery. If I ever get sick I know the Healer. His name is Jesus. He will protect me and heal me. Live your life, breath fresh air, get lots of sunlight, don’t live in fear.
Elana says
Marie, first everyone wearing a mask needs to wash it each night. Second, we lost loved ones who were not in nursing homes. This is when COVID-19 really hit home for us. I totally agree it is so important to live life, breath fresh air, and get lots of sunlight. I wear a seat belt when I drive, and a mask when outside, nothing fearful about either of those, just want to protect our health worker heroes and prevent the spread like they did in Japan –by wearing masks. Take good care and sending you all the best, glad there are so many things that we can agree on.
DARLEEN M EDERER says
Amen!
Kim says
I do agree that we should all wear masks, especially to help protect the elderly and those with medical conditions. I see it as a sign of disrespect to others by not wearing a mask. Especially when I see people who work in stores or other public places, whose employer requires them to wear one, and some of the customers could care less and do not have one on. It’s only effective at controlling the spread of the virus if everyone in public wears one. And not to be political, but I am a conservative Republican and don’t like that my President and Vice President don’t wear a mask.
Elana says
Kim, you go! Love that you shared your political affiliate here. BTW, Hannity on Fox and Sen McConnell both advocate wearing masks so you’re not alone :-)
Mickey says
We don’t wear masks unless a business that we frequent requires them. We don’t wear masks during Flu seasons, and while I do believe Covid-19 is more serious than our regular flu, I also know that we can’t wear masks indefinitely. I respect others who wear them, but I would ask that they respect those of us who decline the wearing of masks. There have been many studies done on both sides, and therefore, both sides need to be considered, equally, in a discussion such as this. Thank you for your views.
Elana says
Thanks Mickey.
Jean Schroer says
Dr. Anthony Fauci and May 21 edition of New England Journal of Medicine admitted that wearing masks outside of health facilities provide little if any protection against infection.
Elana says
Jean, thanks so much for offering your opinion. On May 26, Fauci updated his opinion stating that although masks are not 100% effective “they do work.”