I'm Dr. Keith Moran and this is Medicine
with Dr. Moran.
i recently did a video on whether people
should utilize masks to prevent
transmission of the novel coronavirus.
Masks unequivocally have benefits but
the question that often comes up
is when do you need one and when do you
not?
I understand that the use of masks for
Covid-19 is a highly politicized subject
I also understand that to wear a mask or
not is your choice.
Or in some areas wearing a mask has been
made a law
so your compliance is expected. This
video is not meant to choose sides but
rather to let you know when wearing a
mask can make sense
and when it's unnecessary. You obviously
do not need to wear one all of the time
but what are the scenarios where there
might be a benefit
and when are they unlikely to be of any
benefit.
This ultimately comes down to the
probability of acquiring the virus in
certain scenarios.
Masks are obviously meant for higher
risk scenarios when they will be of
benefit.
Remember that when you're indoors
sub-optimal building ventilation
can cause droplets to hang in the air
for longer periods of time
increasing the risk for acquiring
infection.
When you're outside the fresh air is
always moving and will disperse these
droplets.
According to the recent research to get
infected appears that you need to
acquire enough viral particles
likely more than one hundred. Getting
outside helps your emotional
and physical health otherwise you can go
stir crazy.
this cannot be emphasized enough.
situations when you do not need a mask
would include when you're in your car by
yourself
or with your family. I do not wear a mask
when I'm outside running or biking
when I'm in public going out for a walk
and i know it's easy to physically
distance there's no reason to wear a
mask.
Sometimes this might mean moving off the
sidewalk to go onto the road if you're
passing other people.
Please do this safely. If you cannot
physically distance in public
then masks are important. Do not wear a
mask where it may get wet
such as when you're in the water. If you
are swimming
physically distance. Next Who should not
wear a mask?
Well children under the age of 2 do not
need to wear a mask.
Remember that school-aged children in
general are very unlikely to pass along
the virus to other people
and that the death rate in children from
this particular virus is in fact less
than them dying from the seasonal flu.
Some people with trouble breathing may
not be able to wear a mask and obviously
people who cannot remove the masks
or those who are incapacitated in
different situations
should not be forced to wear a mask.
Remember that wearing a mask is
important and will protect you and
others.
Wearing it in situations where the risk
of acquiring the virus is increased is
definitely worthwhile.
Wearing it in situations with very low
to no risk is not worthwhile.
The obvious situations when you should
wear a mask are if you're in the
hospital
or nursing home, visiting a loved one, or
if you're a healthcare provider like
myself in those situations.
Certain areas of the hospital obviously
are higher risk than others such as the
ICU
or the Covid ward. N95 masks,
face shields, and other protection will
be needed for those particular
high-risk situations. Other scenarios
if you're caring for a sick relative who
may or may not have the coronavirus.
In this instance you should limit
contact and keep a distance
and wear gloves, eyewear, and a mask
ideally an N95
if they happen to have the virus. Other
situations are when you cannot
physically distance six feet.
Particularly
when you're indoors at a gathering of
any kind or any kind of a store.
You should wear one when you're on
public transit, or in a taxi, or airplane.
You should wear one when you go to see
your healthcare professional.
You should wear one if you're going to
see your elderly relatives.
lastly if you think you may have
coronavirus infection yourself
it's important to get tested straight
away with a nasopharyngeal swab.
the usual symptoms to remind you are
cough or fever,
muscle aches, shortness of breath, and in
20%
GI symptoms, such as nausea, abdominal
pain,
or some change in your bowel habits. Some
people
can get rashes and there can be an
abrupt lack of taste or smell
as a initial symptom.
In this instance stay at home if you
have these symptoms and away from other
people and pets.
You do not want to transmit this to your
pets.
People in your household should take the
appropriate precautions that i just
spoke about.
I hope you enjoyed learning about when
and when not to wear a mask.
Most of the points that I have made
really are simply common sense and apply
to all respiratory viruses not just this
Novel Coronavirus
please feel free to comment below. Thanks
for joining me today on Medicine with Dr.
Moran.
Once again I'm Dr. Keith Moran. Get
healthy and stay healthy.
