19: Do I need to wear a mask?

- April 14, 2020

Q: Do I need to wear a mask?

💁Tracy: COVID-19 can be transmitted through droplets when people talk, sneeze, cough, etc. Therefore, wearing a mask can reduce the risk of transmission. People who have been infected should wear masks. Those who have close contact with patients and potentially infected people need to wear masks.

CDC is considering and changing its guidelines at the time being whether healthy people should wear masks. Even wearing non-medical masks such as cotton masks can also play a protective role. But wearing a mask can definitely reduce the risk of transmission for asymptomatic and infected people even when viruses are in incubation stage. People who have been infected must wear masks when they come in contact with other people. Whether other people need to wear masks depends on the situation, especially when medical masks are in shortage, and the needs of healthcare workers and first-responders need to be prioritized.

Please consider wearing masks when you are facing the following situations:

Interacting directly with people, especially with patients or people who may be infected (please try to keep more than 6 feet away even with mask)
In crowded or public places, especially hospitals or doctors' offices

Close, small or poorly ventilated space, such as when sharing elevator with others (please consider have less than 3 people in one elevator and stay at a distance, except for family members)

When taking public transportation

When you are alone or in large open space with nobody else close by, you don't need to wear a mask.

Q: Which mask should I wear?

💁Tracy: The most common protective masks sold during the pandemics are disposable medical masks, surgical masks, and other similar products. For those who are not infected or sick, there is no significant difference in wearing disposable medical masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks. Therefore, N95 masks should be saved for medical personnel and emergency workers who deal with patients directly. There is no additional benefit to wear N95 masks for uninfected people but the masks may increase breathing difficulty that should be considered for those who have existing cardiopulmonary problems.

Apart from doctors, nurses, and medical personnel who deal with COVID-19 patients directly, you may consider wear N95 masks if you work in one of following situations with a high risk of infection:

Public places such as hospitals, nursing home, childcare centers, airports, public transportation, supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations, etc

Healthcare workers, first responders, law-enforcement agencies, police, security guard, courier and other delivery jobs who deal with potential infected patients.

A COVID-19 patient or one who shows similar symptoms should stay in an isolated room at home. The patient should wear a mask while others are in the same room.

Please make sure you wear protective masks that meet N95 / FFP2 (European) / KN95 (Chinese) / KF94 (Korean) and above standards. Paper masks, activated carbon masks, cotton masks, and sponge masks may not be adequate if you interact with those who are infected or potientally infected directly.

Q: What kind of mask should expecting moms or children choose?

💁Tracy:

Pregnant women should consider their own health conditions and choose products with a good fit and comfort. It is usually recommended to wear disposable medical masks or surgical masks

Children who have smaller faces should choose children-sized protective masks.

Q: What should I do if elderly or patients are not comfortable wearing masks?

💁Tracy: Elderly people and patients with chronic diseases such as cardiopulmonary diseases may feel uncomfortable after wearing N95 masks, which may increase breathing difficulty. They can choose regular masks rather than N95 masks. As mentioned above, for healthy people, wearing N95 masks offers no additional benefit. They should be reserved for healthcare and people who work in high-risk areas or jobs.