Health + Fitness

FACT: Everybody needs to wear a face mask

Person wearing face mask© Photabulous!

On March 27th, Jon Cohen of Science interviewed George Gao, the director-general of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and he asked the following:

Q: What mistakes are other countries making?



A: The big mistake in the U.S. and Europe, in my opinion, is that people aren't wearing masks. This virus is transmitted by droplets and close contact. Droplets play a very important role. You've got to wear a mask, because when you speak, there are always droplets coming out of your mouth. Many people have asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections. If they are wearing face masks, it can prevent droplets that carry the virus from escaping and infecting others.

While considering this Q&A it is important to recognize that Mr. Gao oversaw the health concerns of over 1.3 billion people and led the country to a rather successful outcome. It is true that some, namely US officials, believe the death and infection numbers are somehow fudged -- and maybe they are -- but there is now plenty of reporting, and evidence, that the country is returning to normal. Weeks ago GM, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota resumed their Chinese operations and Apple reopened all 42 of their stores. Comparatively the operations of these corporations are CLOSED in almost every location worldwide. Who's winning and who's losing? Right now, the USA has over 200,000 cases that are ballooning every day. China, with 4 times the people, never exceeded 90,000.



Clearly China did something right and Mr Gao is telling the world what that was.



But is anyone listening? Here it is again:

"The big mistake in the U.S. and Europe, in my opinion, is that people arenâ€™t wearing masks."

BTW: Here is the link to the Science interview.



Need more convincing?

Basically, a mask prevents those that are infected asymptomatically, or otherwise, from spreading the virus. And it protects --YOU-- an uninfected person from inhaling the virus. Simple isn't it.

The following articles explain the situation from various perspectives:

Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1

Coronavirus: Low mask-wearing countries experiencing more deaths



CDC may urge Americans to cover faces in public: report

CDC considering recommending general public wear face coverings in public

Would everyone wearing face masks help us slow the pandemic?

Ignore the mixed messages and wear that mask

We will need to make our own.

, but we should NOT be using the manufactured ones. Those are for the front line people: healthcare, police, fire department, paramedics and so on.

Here are a few links for DIY masks:



Can DIY Masks Protect Us from Coronavirus?

What Are The Best Materials for Making DIY Masks?

How to make your own mask: Hong Kong scientists reveal temporary solution for those unable to get protective gear because of panic buying and price-gouging

How to Make Your Own Face Mask (video)

Testing the Efficacy of Homemade Masks: Would They Protect in an Influenza Pandemic?

Simple Respiratory Mask

How To Make A Face Mask From A Vacuum Cleaner Bag

How to make a face mask DIY using a vacuum cleaner bag (video)

Homemade N95 Respirator Mask Instructions (Using HEPA Vacuum Bag)

How To Make a Homemade Mask If You Absolutely Have To

We would recommend beginning immediately to gather the supplies needed to build these. And make extra ones for others or the front-line workers in case they need them.

Good luck. And get going!

Related: How BIG is the Coronavirus?

