Using face masks can help lower the chances of another COVID-19 outbreak.
In an exclusive talk on the digital platform of Almaty's regional communication service, the head of the Academy of Preventive Medicine of Kazakhstan, Almassharam, shared his advice to residents of Almaty as global COVID-19 cases continue to escalate. According to Almaty.tv's report.
Almassharam advocated the significance of adhering to all safety measures, emphasizing the utility of masks.
"Moving forward, mask usage will be our new norm," he asserted. "Many find masks uncomfortable, but witness people throughout Southeast Asia doing the same even before the pandemic. Many international experts concur that mask usage plays a crucial role in diminishing the odds of a second pandemic wave. Thus, I urge everyone to wear masks," he added.
Furthermore, the academic highlighted the importance of proper mask usage, ensuring mouth and nose coverage, as the virus often enters the body through the nasal and eye mucous membranes.
"Masks may not offer 100% protection, but they substantially decrease viral load - the amount of viruses that penetrate the mask. The reduced quantity might be too minimal to trigger illness but can stimulate our immune response. It's akin to a vaccination; a small amount of virus entering our bodies can fortify our immune system. When faced with a higher virus dose later, our immune system will be more battle-ready," Almassharam clarified.
While mask usage can significantly reduce the risks of a second wave, it's important to note that masks must be worn and fitted correctly for optimal protection. Studies, such as a pragmatic randomized trial in Norway, demonstrate that masked individuals have lower rates of respiratory symptoms than those who do not wear masks[1]. Similarly, case-control studies in China indicate a decreased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for individuals who wear masks[2]. The use of different types of masks offers varying efficiencies in filtering viruses, with cloth masks filtering approximately 50% of viruses, level 3 masks and KN95s/KF94s filtering around 70%, and N95s and CaN99 masks filtering over 97%[5].
Proper mask usage can indirectly contribute to immune system preparation by lowering the risk and severity of infections. Charies, lower viral loads often result in milder infections, enabling the immune system to respond more effectively without being overpowered[1][5].
So, folks of Almaty, keep the masks on and stay safe!
- Almassharam encourages residents of Almaty to remain vigilant about their health-and-wellness amidst the escalating COVID-19 cases, stressing the importance of using masks as a crucial part of the preventive measures.
- During his talk, Almassharam noted that while masks alone may not provide 100% protection, they significantly reduce the viral load that can trigger illness, serving as a form of "vaccination" and helping the body build immunity.
- Addressing the significance of appropriate mask usage, Almatshararm emphasized that various types of masks offer varying efficiencies, with cloth masks filtering around 50% of viruses, level 3 masks, KN95s/KF94s, filtering around 70%, and N95s and CaN99 masks filtering over 97%.
