Masks Are Not Complete Protection Against Coronavirus As It Can Enter Through Your Eyes

As coronavirus cases go up in number, the masks' demands have have soared all over the country. People are buying them for protection, but it's not completely safe, as coronavirus can still enter through the eyes.

Here are some facts which shall explain how reliable a mask is:

*If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected Covid-19 illness.

*Remember, tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, can enter masks.

*But masks can capture droplets from a cough or a sneeze.

*Studies have shown that masks are a protective barrier. But they make little difference if you are out for a walk around town.

*Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.

*Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand washing.

*Remove any protection mask as soon as it starts feeling damp.

*Cover mouth and nose with mask. Ensure no gaps. Don¡¯t touch your mask.

*Always remove a mask from behind. Discard it in a closed bin. Cloth masks can be washed in hot water, not medical masks.

*Cloth holds on to moisture, is often reused, and filters poorly compared to medical masks.

*A 2015 study from Vietnam found that in doctors treating the flu in Hanoi hospitals, cloth masks appeared to lead to more infections than medical masks.

*Be comfortable with the mask.

*A Singapore study found people often touch their face to adjust ill-fitting masks. Touching the face increases the risk of infection.

In other words a mask is not full-proof. Of course that does not mean one should not wear them. All necessary precautions need to be taken in order to combat the deadly disease.

The pandemic has claimed over 20,000 lives worldwide and more than 400,000 are affected. In India alone, there are over 600 active cases.