A ‘mask-on-chin’ is an invitation to the virus
LUCKNOW: Wearing mask on the chin, which a large number of people can be seen doing, is an invitation to virus and bacteria that find an easy way into your body through your mouth or nose, said doctors.
“When you pull down the mask (from your nose/mouth) to the chin, you give way to the virus, thus defeating the very purpose of wearing a mask,” said prof Kauser Usman, senior faculty, department of medicine, at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) here on Tuesday.
Pulling down the mask not just allows virus, germs and bacteria to enter your body through your mouth and nose but also the germs on your chin, if any, will be picked up by the inner layer of the mask and transmit it into your body when you wear the mask again, he said.
“You often touch the mask with your hands, both outer
and inner layer, while pulling it down and up. In a way, the person doing so herself/himself may take virus into his/her body. Wearing mask down on the chin is a big risk,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, director, Healthcity Hospital.
Doctors said the basics of wearing a mask should be understood prior to wearing it. “If you don’t understand the purpose and usage of a mask, there will be no benefit of using the same,” said Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, Association of International
Doctors.
“While wearing a mask, one has to ensure that external air passes through the mask when entering the mouth and nose. This can be achieved only if the mask is kept in the correct position, covering the mouth and nose, until one returns home. The person should not touch the mask from the front or poke one’s finger beneath the mask. As soon as the mask becomes wet, it should be changed,” said Dr Vinod Jain, senior faculty, KGMU.