With the CDC and our government having a shortage of N-95 masks, we’ve been asked to reserve these for our medical professionals on the frontlines. And rightfully so. But is there value in regular folks using masks when they go out for essentials?
Actually, there is! After several threats in Asia—Hong Kong Flu in 1968-1970, SARS in 2002-2003, and H1N1 in 2009-2010, many Asians stock masks and some wear them in public on a regular basis. Even today in Japan with Covid-19, masks are being used to keep the spread of the virus down. I learned about the use of masks during my two week trip to China in 2007.
As a former cancer patient who used masks while traveling on airplanes during treatment, I recommend the use of masks even if it means making your own. A bandana, simple cotton mask, etc. does offer some protection for all of us. We know that some people who show no symptoms are carrying the Covid-19 virus. Eventually, these masks will not be in shortage thanks to My Pillow and other manufacturing plants stepping up to the plate.
Please reserve these medical masks for those on the frontlines. We can use homemade or the nonhospital grade masks for us folks at home. But I feel it’s a good idea to have a stock of these masks for the future. I have the rest of the opened packages from my cancer journey.
Social distancing offers great protection from viruses and flus.
What’s interesting is that in the future when something like this strikes again, masks may be one of our primary ways of preventing the spread of a virus as opposed to shutting everything down. Germs, bacteria and viruses have been around since the Fall of Man, and they will continue to emerge. Besides social distancing, washing hands constantly, and isolating those who contract it, masks may well be a part of the plan.
But as I said in this previous post, keeping your immune system armed and ready as God intended is also a part of preventing your body from contracting Covid-19 or lessening its impact. The more prevention we can put in place, the better! To mask or not to mask is the question. To mask is one more tool of prevention in your toolbox. Masks may allow us to get back to work sooner. Be creative and allow medical personal to have the medical ones until they are readily available.
As I am posting this, the CDC is now recommending that everyone wear masks in public places. Yesterday while grocery shopping, I wore a mask and one glove as were many people. What can you share that you’ve learned about prevention?
For Your Health and to Beat Corona,
Ginny
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