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Coronavirus has been sweeping around the globe, seeding fear and causing panic. With a total of 97,993 confirmed affected cases, 3,381 deaths, and 87 affected countries, The World Health Organization has taken matters into its own hands. WHO has already shipped a half a million sets of personal protective equipment to the frontline doctors, but the global supply is depleting.
People are taking all measures to protect themselves, causing a shortage of protective masks in many countries. As a result, some have turned to very creative mask ideas to keep themselves safe. But according to Leora Horwitz, a doctor and director at the Center for Healthcare Innovation, all the buzz is for nothing, because the masks don’t protect people from catching a virus. Plus, Horwitz shared her experience with a tedious face mask test that she is required to pass ever year, which suggests that most of us have no clue how to use them.
Let’s get into the doctor’s Twitter post, which will hopefully make some reconsider spending money on something you don’t need unless COVID-19 has already been detected in your system.
You can view a constantly-updated model of how much the virus has spread globally right here.
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During the global COVID-19 crisis, protective masks have become a sort of luxury
Image credits: AlamosaCounty PublicHealth
“Long thread ahead!” warned the doctor before explaining how face masks really work
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
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Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
Image credits: leorahorwitzmd
It turns out that the shortage of protective masks isn’t the only problem the US has to tackle amid the coronavirus. Stephan Hahn, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, said that nearly a million coronavirus test kits would be ready by the end of this week at a press briefing on Monday. However, the White House admitted that the Trump administration will not be able to meet this objective. Mike Pence, who is in charge of the country’s response to the outbreak, made an unsettling statement: “We don’t have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward.”
More doctors showed how the tedious face mask fitting test looks
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Image credits: DRouselle
Others blamed the flawed protective mask supply chain
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These Twitter users defended the practice of wearing masks
Image credits: TwoPill
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And this guy took the anti-virus mask a tiny bit too literally
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This is what people had to say
What do you think ?
Human #1,232,867 4 years ago
Some considerations to put in perspective: Wearing a simple mask will not protect you 100% from virus but it will reduce the transmission for many other reasons. The first one being to avoid putting your finger in your mouth. We are not here to be as clean as a doctor, but reducing the risk is already a first step.
Emma B 4 years ago
I started wearing a mask this week on the subway. I live in Toronto (Canada) and EVERY YEAR people sneeze on the subway without covering their mouths; 3 different times since this past November alone! I can still feel the spray on my neck when I think about it. The masks I use are ones I bought last summer when my mom developed pneumonia and I had to take care of her. I'm not taking anyone else's supply, and I always carry an extra to give to someone who is coughing/sneezing without one.
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Dani Mező 4 years ago (edited)
Sounds nice but not true, unfortunately. Numerous studies showed that N95 masks do protect regular people against "influenza-like" viruses. One of which I'll cite [1]. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662657/
Joseph Cheung 4 years ago
The mask may protect, but it is saying that the protection is wasted because of mistakes when putting in the mask like improper fit that make the mask useless and waste it when doctor who are work near sick don't have access to the low supply of masks. Also, even if the seal is right, it would be hard to disinfect your body if you were wearing mask like hands, clothes and on the mask. It is better for the sick and doctor to use the limited supply
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Alusair Alustriel 4 years ago
If we are all that dumb and don't know how to use those masks, especially how to take them off, which was emphasized so heavily, then maybe make a post EDUCATING people, instead of pointing out how stupid they are. Because they will still buy them - they are on the market and are not exclusive only to medical workers. If regular people knew how to use them, it would be a benefit in the long run.
Joseph Cheung 4 years ago
it did educate, it was just emphasizing how the proper way is very labor intensive that normal people don't or cant do such as the sugar test above. I understand your frustration of lack of education to people who buy masks, but it is saying not to waste time/money if you are healthy. The protocols are difficult to execute and unnecessary if you are not around sick people all the time. The supply is limited for professional and citizens so use masks if you are around the sick or are sick yourself.
Load More Replies... Human #1,232,867 4 years ago
Some considerations to put in perspective: Wearing a simple mask will not protect you 100% from virus but it will reduce the transmission for many other reasons. The first one being to avoid putting your finger in your mouth. We are not here to be as clean as a doctor, but reducing the risk is already a first step.
Emma B 4 years ago
I started wearing a mask this week on the subway. I live in Toronto (Canada) and EVERY YEAR people sneeze on the subway without covering their mouths; 3 different times since this past November alone! I can still feel the spray on my neck when I think about it. The masks I use are ones I bought last summer when my mom developed pneumonia and I had to take care of her. I'm not taking anyone else's supply, and I always carry an extra to give to someone who is coughing/sneezing without one.
Load More Replies... Dani Mező 4 years ago (edited)
Sounds nice but not true, unfortunately. Numerous studies showed that N95 masks do protect regular people against "influenza-like" viruses. One of which I'll cite [1]. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662657/
Joseph Cheung 4 years ago
The mask may protect, but it is saying that the protection is wasted because of mistakes when putting in the mask like improper fit that make the mask useless and waste it when doctor who are work near sick don't have access to the low supply of masks. Also, even if the seal is right, it would be hard to disinfect your body if you were wearing mask like hands, clothes and on the mask. It is better for the sick and doctor to use the limited supply
Load More Replies... Alusair Alustriel 4 years ago
If we are all that dumb and don't know how to use those masks, especially how to take them off, which was emphasized so heavily, then maybe make a post EDUCATING people, instead of pointing out how stupid they are. Because they will still buy them - they are on the market and are not exclusive only to medical workers. If regular people knew how to use them, it would be a benefit in the long run.
Joseph Cheung 4 years ago
it did educate, it was just emphasizing how the proper way is very labor intensive that normal people don't or cant do such as the sugar test above. I understand your frustration of lack of education to people who buy masks, but it is saying not to waste time/money if you are healthy. The protocols are difficult to execute and unnecessary if you are not around sick people all the time. The supply is limited for professional and citizens so use masks if you are around the sick or are sick yourself.
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