Yes! We know that having to consistently wear masks can be inconvenient at times, but the reality is that wearing them significantly helps in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Don’t believe us? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia breaks down masks and their health benefits.
What Evidence Is There to Support the Health Benefits of Masks?
Many scientists have done studies on masks and their usefulness in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, but the strongest evidence in favor of masks comes from real-world scenarios.
A recent study in Health Affairs compared the COVID-19 growth rate before and after mask mandates in 15 states and the District of Columbia. It found that, over time, mask mandates led to a slowdown in the daily COVID-19 growth rate. The first five days after a mandate, the daily growth rate slowed by 0.9% compared to the five days prior to the mandate; at three weeks, the daily growth rate had slowed by 2%.
Reasons to Wear a Mask
- You can’t be 100% certain that you aren’t sick.
- Masks help protect you and others around you.
- Wearing masks can help the economy recover.
What Is the Best Mask to Wear?
While N95 masks offer the best protection for yourself and the people around you, the CDC asks that you don’t wear them unless you’re a medical worker as they are of critical importance in the medical field.
In general, well-made cloth masks offer greater protection than surgical masks and face shields. When made with the proper materials, cloth masks eliminate 79% of airborne respiratory droplets as opposed to surgical masks’ 62% elimination rate. Overall, though, wearing a mask of any sort is better than wearing no mask.
Other Ways to Slow Spread of COVID-19
- Make sure you are social distancing when out in public.
- Save your trips out of the house for essential reasons.
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces often.
Are you concerned that you might have contracted the coronavirus? Schedule a test at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia.
