Can Cloth Masks Prove Effective In Fighting The Omicron Variant?

The fear of earlier-like situations is imminent with the fast spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. It’s been some time since people are stepping out and settled back into their everyday lifestyle. As things seemed normalizing, people started getting back to their routined lifestyle. However, with the imminent rising threat of Omicron, the experts are raising concerns about the use of facial masks.

Can Cloth Masks Prove Effective In Fighting The Omicron Variant?

The experts have been talking about how the cloth mask we use is inefficient to tackle the Omicron threat. The inputs and insights provided by these experts are highly essential for the masses to understand. 

Can Cloth Masks Prove Effective In Fighting The Omicron Variant?

Emphasizing the same, Dr. Leana Wen who happens to be an emergency doctor and professor at George Washington University of Public Health said that Cloth masks are nothing but “facial decorations.” She further states that they provide no protection to fight the deadly Omicron Variant. In a way, they are only acting as a fashion element on our faces. 

In a separate phone interview conducted, Dr. Leana emphasized how scientists and public health officials have pointed out the same for the past few months. Speaking about public safety and fighting possible Omicron waves, Dr. Leana said, “We need to wear at least three ply surgical masks.” Only after wearing them could we be able to exercise some level of control.

The government’s rapidness and awareness have made public health the most important agenda in the US. The 3-ply surgical masks are readily available in most of the local grocery, drug, and retail stores. 

Dr. Leana also suggests that people who wish to style their dress can go for the designer cloth mask but only on the top of the 3-ply surgical mask. While visiting public places, it is mandatory that you should wear an N95 or KN95 mask. Getting exposed to this virus is at high levels as we tend to get in contact with others. The masks can be expensive for some, but a few dollars should not be the concern when it comes to health and safety. 

The normal masks that we otherwise use are made up of permeable materials. Whereas the KN95 or N95 masks are made up of polypropylene fibers which act both as mechanical and electrostatic barriers. These types of masks are excellent for preventing tiny particles from getting into our mouth or nose. However, for efficiency, it is expected that we place the mask properly.

Dr. Leana, while speaking with the officials, also points out how we as a society do not come from a mask-wearing culture, but the present situation demands us to rethink and adapt ourselves to the public safety norms. Even our neighboring countries like Austria and Germany have switched their safety norms by making the 3-ply medical grade surgical mask mandatory in public gatherings.

Though in the earlier part of the pandemic, people were encouraged to wear a cloth mask, and they are effective in filtering out the large droplets, but when it comes to fighting down the deadly Omicron variant, the cloth mask can do no good. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health has already approved the N95 and KN95 masks.

They can filter up to 95% of the air particles, while the normal surgical or disposable masks can only filter around 5 to 10% of the air particles. Thus, for public safety and for one’s own safety, it is high time people shift from wearing their regular cloth masks to the officially approved N95 or KN95 mask. 

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