Union minister Shripad Naik tests positive for Covid

nPANAJI: Union minister of State for defence Shripad Naik has tested positive for Covid-19, he revealed in a post on Twitter.

“I underwent Covid-19 test today and it has turned out asymptomatically positive. My vitals are within normal limits and I have opted for home isolation. Those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are advised to get tested for themselves and take required precautions,” Naik said in a post via Twitter.

Barely two days ago, the minister had felicitated kar sevaks who had participated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya at a function at Priol in Ponda tehsil of Goa.

The function was organised by the Priol BJP Mandal at Madananteshwar Temple in Savoiverem Karsevak’s from Priol constituency who had participated in the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation in Ayodhya in 1990 and 1992.

On the same day at another event the minister had launched a booklet and devotional CD ahead of the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

The minister was also involved in examining flood affected areas in North Goa, a constituency he represents as a Lok Sabha MP.

Fitted N95 mask with no exhalation valve

Cotton-polypropylene material mask

Single-layer surgical mask

Double-layer cotton, pleated style mask

Surgical triple layer masks

Double-layer, pleated style cotton mask

Single-layer cotton, pleated style mask

Knitted mask

Double-layer cotton, pleated style mask

N95 mask with exhalation valve

Double-layer cotton, Olson style mask

The premise of using masks is simple: wearing it reduces the risk of spreading of respiratory droplets containing viruses. The only masks that prevent viruses from being breathed in are N-95 masks but they are not feasible for long use due to their tight fitting. Some easily accessible cotton cloth masks are almost as effective as standard surgical masks, while wearing a fleece may be worse than not wearing a mask.

Researchers said the fleece they tested seemed to be worse than wearing no mask as it dispersed large droplets into smaller ones that can travel longer distances and linger on in the air. They confirmed that N95 masks with exhalation valve transmitted more droplets since it is meant to allow outwards airflow; it can decrease protection of persons surrounding the wearer. A non-valved N95 mask was far superior