Should We Wear Face Masks Post Covid?

Now that the regulation to wear face masks has been lifted, is it a good idea to keep wearing a face mask? 

25/06/2022

 

 

 

 

Winter is well known for being the flu season in South Africa and now that wearing face masks is no longer required, you can be sure that more than a few people will succumb to this over the next couple of months. It is almost surreal how we have gone from a nation - a world, in fact - that was wearing masks indoors and outdoors to one that no longer must. But that begs the question... should we still be wearing face masks post the Covid pandemic?

 

 

 

Did Face Masks Work?

We can't doubt the efficacy of wearing face masks to prevent the spread of Covid, particularly the wearing of N95 or other masks as recommended by healthcare professionals. If it wasn't for wearing masks, it would no doubt have been a worse outcome than what was achieved by making wearing masks a rule. Yes, we moaned and groaned that masks had to be worn, but I am sure that we all realised the benefit of them as well.

 

 

Despite the discomfort of wearing a face mask there are several benefits that cannot and should not be overlooked.

 

 

 

 

The wearing of face masks was cheap and effective but there is no doubt that face masks offer more benefits than drawbacks. Despite the discomfort of wearing a face mask there are several benefits that cannot and should not be overlooked:

 

 

 

 

Protection from Viruses

While the death rate from the Covid pandemic was high, so is the annual death rate from influenza. Thousands of people die every year during the flu season, but it was a much lower number of deaths due to influenza whilst the pandemic was ongoing. Statistics from the U.S state that approximately 24,000 died annually from the flu virus prior to the pandemic while this shot down to around 500 deaths during the pandemic. While wearing face masks wasn't the primary reason for the reduction in the death rate, it most certainly played an important role. Hand sanitising and social distancing can also be accredited for the reduced occurrence of flu victims and we should perhaps look at this as a model for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who Should Wear a Face Mask?

A face mask protects the user by blocking respiratory droplet either from themselves or, if wearing a health-rated mask, from someone close by. Theoretically speaking, wearing a mask offers a level of protection against infection from the influenza virus and limits the spread of infection.

 

 

 

 

Infected with the influenza virus

Anyone who suspects that they have been infected by a virus, but particularly a strain of influenza, should wear a mask to protect those around them. Doesn't seem fair but it does prevent others from being infected. Anyone infected is knowingly spreading the virus and passing it on to other unsuspecting persons. On the other hand, if you know someone close to you is infected, wearing a face mask yourself will reduce the risk of infection.

 

 

 

 

Elderly and Infirm

Any person who suffers any form of ailment that affect the immune system and those above a certain age or infirm should consider wearing a face mask when in public places. Knowing that infection can be reduced by wearing a face mask and hand sanitising, surely it makes a bit of sense to continue with these actions.

 

 

 

 

Young Children

If any one group needs protection more than others it would, of course, be children. The daily routine of attending school or afterschool, group activities and gathering with friends are situations that cannot be avoided and puts every child at risk of infection whether it be Covid, influenza or other viral infection. If wearing a face mask is not a possibility, all young children should learn the benefits of hand sanitising regularly, both at school, at home, or when out.

 

 

Protect yourself when using public transport or when travelling long distance.

 

 

 

 

Transport and Travel

Wearing a mask when using public transport or when undertaking long distance travel is a consideration. At the outbreak of the pandemic, confinement in travel situations such as cruises and airplanes were found the be large sources for infection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Gatherings

As with transport and travel, large public gatherings where social distancing is not possible are also areas at greater risk of infection, as was the case with the recent pandemic.

 

 

 

 

Offices and Work Environments

Retail assistants, front office and receptionists, anyone who comes face to face with the public should consider wearing a face mask in their work environments. Wearing a face mask is not a stigma and should be viewed as a health measure for anyone wanting to avoid the risk of infection, whether Covid variants or influenza.

 

 

 

 

The option to wear a face mask is up to you and you should not be embarrassed to protect your health. I know I will be wearing one.