Face Mask Is the New Fashion Statement…

“They seek him here, they seek him there. His clothes are loud, but never square. It will make or break him so he’s got to but the best, ‘cos he’s a dedicated follower of fashion.” Sir Raymond Douglas Davis (1941- ), English songwriter, singer and musician for the British band The Kinks, “Dedicated Follower of Fashion (1966)”

Because of the recent eruption of Taal volcano and the outbreak of coronavirus, face mask or surgical mask is now a new look in fashion. But does it really help? Or is it just another fashion accessory?

Wearing surgical mask or face mask in the aftermath of Taal volcano eruption is, in the light of public health and personal health, necessary and needed, because volcanic ash, as we all know, is dangerous to health. But after the ash fall and after the air is cleared of the dangerous substances emitted by the volcano, is face mask or surgical mask still needed and necessary.

Now that the novel coronavirus and the impending flu outbreak, has almost at the same time become a public health issue as that with Taal, does surgical mask or face mask really prevent the flu or the coronavirus?

Every year, the winter months or at least our cold months of January and February is flu season. This year, “it’s complicated,” like the social media lingo declares. The flu months are coupled with the novel coronavirus outbreak that has now gone worldwide. The symptoms of flu, common cold, and coronavirus infection are the same. These three are virus infections. Virus can be transmitted from one person to another.

Will surgical mask prevent you from getting the virus? Like flu vaccine, which is not a 100% guarantee that you will not get the flu, wearing surgical mask is not an assurance that you will be virus-free. It is still more important to get the flu vaccine, frequent hand washing, healthy foods and habits, staying away from crowded places, and staying at home when you’re sick.

If you’re sick, wear surgical mask to prevent spread of virus. If you’re well, you don’t have to wear it. It is just logical to say that if you really want to get protected, you have to wear it 24/7; or else it becomes just a fashion accessory.

What about N95 face mask? N95 face mask is thicker and more tight. But the virus is not just in the air for it can be present in the things that you hold, like door knobs, elevator buttons, tables and chairs, glasses, plates and utensils, and even books in the bookstore or the library.

Does surgical mask expire? Yes. The shelf life for surgical mask is three years. Also, change your surgical mask after wearing it for several hours.