Your masks, gloves can help save lives

The government is doing its bit to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the UAE and you need to do yours. In this five-part #KTForGood series, we explain how staying safe and taking all precautions is the ‘new normal’.

As you get ready to face the ‘new normal’ outside your home, there are two questions you need to ask before stepping out that door: Where’s your face mask? And your gloves?

Time and again, the UAE authorities have reminded everyone that face masks must be worn at all times when heading out — and for a good reason. This practice will help prevent the spread of the virus, experts said.

Doctors pointed out that since a significant number of Covid-positive patients do not show symptoms, they may transmit the virus inadvertently if they don’t take the necessary precautions.

Dr Tope Titilayo Odofa, head of the emergency department at RAK Hospital, said the Covid-19 virus can be transmitted during people’s interactions — for example, through speaking, coughing, or sneezing. And face masks could be the barrier people need to stop this transmission.

Cited by the World Economic Forum (WEF), one study examined the use of masks in households to prevent respiratory virus transmission. And it found an 80 per cent reduction in contracting respiratory illness among those who complied and wore masks.

“When masks are worn, they are extremely efficacious,” the WEF said.

While face masks and glove are considered basic preventive measures, Dr Odofa cautioned that these must be also used properly.

“This is particularly true for single-use masks and gloves that should be disposed off after every use so that it does not infect other surfaces,” she said.

People who work at supermarkets and retail shops, for example, must be extra mindful in changing their protective equipment, the doctor added.

In the case of medical masks, Dr Odofa said: “While the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any type of surgical masks specifically for the protection against Covid-19, these do provide basic some protection when N95 masks are not available.

“At the end of the day, our priority should be to protect ourselves and those around us by adhering to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.”

Dr Abdul Khaliq Farooqui, general practitioner at Right Health clinic in Jebel Ali, said it is also important to ensure that a face mask covers one’s nose, mouth and ear and eyes, as these are the primary entry points of the virus.

“The mask size should be appropriate for face of the individual and should provide adequate coverage,” he said.

People should also be careful while they are wearing gloves, Dr Farooqui.

Once the gloves are on, the wearer must refrain from touching his face — otherwise, the protective wear will be useless. “Also, a person cannot use the same gloves all the time,” he added.

Besides wearing face masks and gloves properly, some more precautionary measures should be taken to get complete protection, Dr Farooqui said. “Washing your hands and using sanitisers are the preferred way of staying away from germs so when coming back home from outside, everyone should wash their hands.”