Virus spreads fast. A few weeks ago, the coronavirus was only prevalent in Wulan, China. Today, the outbreak is well known across the American news: CNN, New York Times, and NBC. There are sightings of the virus across a few states in America, those including Orange County California, Everett Washington, and Chicago Illinois. The death rate ranges around 106 people, greatly affecting those with weak immune system or those with secondary diseases such as asthma. Around 4,500 cases have been reported by people who have been infected by the virus. The rising number of mortality rate allows for great panic among American.
As I walk outside of my room, I see fear among the Americans who do not want to contract the disease. Many of my peers prefer to stay at home instead of going out for shopping for fear of contaminated objects in a public space. Some even refuse to go to work. Many people are wearing face masks, including those who are not sick. I hear the purchase of face mask has been so extensive, the stores ran out of stock for these masks.
Are the outrages unfounded? There is no evidence proving that wearing face masks, or surgical masks, can prevent infections. However, surgical mask is the common mask people buy. The mask cannot protect consumers from airborne particles because consumers can simply breathe through or around the mask. In addition, the mask is made to protect the surgeon’s field of vision away from the mouth and nose. It does not filter the air as the more expensive, least common, and least well-known N-95 respirators that filter 95% of the airborne particles in the air. Even if consumers purchase the N-95 respirators, they are very uncomfortable to wear and are not made to be worn for six hours or more. The respirators are also moderately complex, implying consumers would need some medical training to properly wear and effectively use the respirators.
Despite the downfall of overusing the masks, the masks do have their own use. They can defend against flying water droplets when consumers sneeze or cough. They can also prevent contact of consumer’s hands to mouth, allowing consumers the time and awareness to wash their hands before ingesting any substances. Therefore, unless the consumers are sick with the virus or are physicians who deal with the virus on a daily basis, there should not be an extreme need to wear the mask.
As I walk further along the streets, I notice many people are pitting Asian people as the blame for the disease. I want to inform that nobody wants the coronavirus outbreak to occur. The virus is not necessarily new; it has been in animals for decades and has been transferable to humans all these times. Essentially, the outbreak will occur and perhaps even randomly. We can only be understanding to the people who want to escape the hopeless situation in Wuhan. Too many people are getting sick due to the infection; too little physicians, nurses, and resources are available to tend to these people. Inevitably, these victims of the virus could only seek help outside their country. We would probably make the same decisions if we are in their shoes.
Again, the virus has been an unfortunate incident. However, we can work together to fight against the virus by maintaining good hygiene. Do not touch your food, your mouth, and your nose before you wash your hands. If you sneeze, avoid sneezing on your hands and aim for the elbow. Most importantly, be kind and be safe.
By Naive Health Lady Lu January 28, 2020
Naive Healthy Lady Lu 