If you always do this, your mask is not protecting you, study finds

Wearing a mask is undeniably an essential part of the fight against COVID. However, putting on a face mask does not mean you have free rein to continue living normally. Read on to find out why wearing a mask can increase your risk of contracting COVID. And if you’re feeling under the weather, check for “emergency signs” that you have severe COVID, according to the Mayo Clinic.

According to a January 2021 study published in Public health and JMIR surveillance, researchers at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine found that people who regularly wear masks are at greater risk of contracting COVID because they ignore other public safety protocols. The study in question, which removed essential workers with higher daily contact from the analyzed data set, found that people who wore masks more regularly had more daily contact with others than those who did not. not regularly mask. As such, those who wore masks but ignored COVID’s other safety recommendations ended up developing the virus at higher rates than those who did not wear masks but had less social contact.

Likewise, people who lived in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment buildings, were more likely to develop COVID than those living in single-family homes.

“When you wear a mask, you can have a deceptive feeling of being protected and have more interactions with other people,” explained Eline van den Broek-Altenburg, study principal investigator and assistant professor and vice-president for population health science in the Department of Radiology at Larner College of Medicine, in a statement.

“Masks don’t give you a free pass to see as many people as you want,” added van den Broek-Altenburg, noting that even people who regularly wear masks still have to “strictly limit” contact with others.

The study echoes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that people remain vigilant about both mask wear and social distancing.

The story continues

“Masks should always be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet away, especially when you’re indoors with people who don’t live in your household,” recommends the CDC.

However, when it comes to wearing a mask, the type of mask you choose is also a critical factor in terms of safety. Read on to find out which masks could put your health at risk, and if you’re worried about being infected, this common pain could actually be a symptom of COVID.

Read the original article on Better life.

1

Ill-fitting masks

The CDC warns against wearing masks that spread or fit too loosely or too tightly. Instead, the agency recommends wearing masks with a tight fit around the nose and chin with no space on the sides. And if you’re worried about COVID in your area, these are the only states where COVID is still on the rise.

2

Masks made of hard-to-breathe materials

While you don’t want your mask to let respiratory droplets in or out, masks that limit your ability to breathe, like those made of leather or vinyl, are also not a safe choice. The CDC recommends using non-medical disposable masks or masks made from fabrics such as cotton, which provide protection but do not prevent breathing.

3

Loose Woven Fabric Masks

If you can see the light through the fabric of your mask, it is not giving you adequate protection. Instead, the CDC recommends wearing a mask made from a tightly woven material, which means you can’t see light through when held in front of a lamp or other light source. And for the latest COVID news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

4

Single layer masks

Your single-layer mask may be comfortable, but it’s not a safe option to wear in public. If you want to protect yourself and others, your mask should have two or three layers, according to the CDC.

5

Masks with vents or valves

These air vents or valves on your mask do exactly what you wear it to prevent: allowing respiratory droplets to come in and out. And if you want to protect yourself, the CDC just issued this alarming COVID warning.

6

Scarves or ski masks

While the CDC recommends that you don’t wear a ski mask as your primary means of protection for yourself or others, that doesn’t mean you have to give it up entirely when it’s cold outside. However, if you’re going to be wearing a ski mask to warm yourself up, the CDC suggests wearing it over your breathable, multi-layered mask, warning: “Scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas are not a substitute for masks. “