Practical answers about masks
Some questions the public is asking about non-medical face coverings, answered by Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious diseases doctor, researcher
Face masks are becoming mandatory in indoor public places in Nova Scotia today, and are required in when people are in close proximity in New Brunswick. The P.E.I. Chief Public Health Office recommends that those who can wear a non-medical mask should do so, especially indoors when physical distancing cannot always be maintained. Below are some frequently asked questions about mask wearing answered by Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious diseases doctor and researcher with Health Nova Scotia.
Q- With no known cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia or P.E.I., why is it important to wear a mask?
Answer
- “No cases doesn’t mean no virus. Because people are out and about now more than before, and because you can have the virus and not know it — that is not have symptoms — it’s important right now when we can’t always maintain social distance, for us to wear a mask. It is essential to remember the usefulness of masks without handwashing and no face touching are vastly reduced in their benefit.
Q- Do we wear a mask mainly to others?protect ourselves or
Answer
- “Mainly to protect others. While there may be some benefit to the person wearing it, the absolute main reason we wear masks is to protect the people around us from our respiratory droplets.”
Q- Which is better, the disposable masks or the washable fabric masks? Answer
-That depends on what the disposable and nondisposable ones are made of, how it’s constructed and how they are worn. The answer to that one is not easy and it differs from mask to mask. As we go forward, hopefully manufacturers will be able to standardize them.”
Q- Is there a proper colour side in wearing a disposable mask? Answer
-“It depends on the manufacturer. Some don’t use the same rules, so people should be aware of that. The way I phrase it is, ‘The ones used in the hospital with the blue on the outside and white on the inside are, ‘blue to the sky.’ Not all the masks are made that way with the same colour scheme, so it’s always pleats downward. That goes on the outside.”
Q- What’s the best way to avoid discomfort in wearing a mask?
Answer
-“Find the right mask and sometimes that takes a bit of trial and error. The fit of the mask is an important part of how it works and therefore it should fit over your nose quite snuggly, wire if possible, the wider the wire the more comfortable it is. Find the right style of mask, whether pleated or not pleated, that stays under your chin when you talk and also doesn’t come too close to your face that you feel short of breath.”
Q- Do I need to wear a mask at family gatherings? Answer
-“It depends how big and who the family are. If it’s a bigger gathering and there are people who have come from other places, then chances are you should wear a mask. If you can’t maintain distance and you’re in an indoor space with people not in your general family unit or in your bubble, then you should consider wearing a mask.” Q Q
- Is there a polite way to ask someone to put on a mask?
Answer
- “Yes, I use it very frequently. I say, ‘Hi. I follow public health guidelines, can you please put on a mask?’
- How easy is it for COVID-19 to spread? Answer
-“We think it’s easier than influenza but not as easy as the measles, so somewhere in the middle. The challenge is because it’s slightly more transmittable than influenza and some other respiratory viruses and also because you don’t have symptoms when you could be infectious, that’s the reason that this virus spreads from person-to-person more easily than some other respiratory viruses.”