Since the outbreak of COVID in 2019, face masks have become a part of our daily routine. In these past 2 years, masks have provided significant protection against viruses. This not only prevents the spread of large respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, but also because it restricts the small airborne particles that are produced when people talk or exhale. However, wearing a mask continuously has its side effects, for example, it can cause shortness of breath, hearing problems, etc.
Noting that masks have been beneficial throughout the pandemic, Dr Harish Chafle, Senior Consultant – Pulmonology and Critical Care at Global Hospital, Parel Mumbai, told Hindustan Times that people should continue to wear them even in enclosed spaces.
However, wearing a mask also has its disadvantages. “There are advantages and disadvantages in any situation. Wearing a mask, as recommended by public health officials, has one advantage that cannot be overlooked: It protects ourselves, and we can do that by using it properly.” Let’s protect others,” he said.
For example, long breaths make it more difficult to wear a mask, hearing becomes more difficult, and, among other things, your glasses become foggy. And even if we agree on this, we usually try to keep pace with these difficulties because we think wearing masks will be more beneficial in the current scenario.
Pointing out another pertinent point, Dr Sushil Jain, Pulmonary Consultant at Masina Hospital, said, “The use of masks alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection.” However, there are many benefits to wearing it.
And at the same time we cannot ignore the disadvantages, elaborating on that, Dr Sushil Jain said that it causes “headache and/or difficulty in breathing, depending on the type of mask used, face mask, etc. Depending on the development of skin lesions, irritant dermatitis or worsening acne. Frequently used for a long time, especially for people who are deaf or hard of hearing or using lip reading, difficulty in communicating clearly Potentially low adherence to other important preventive measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene, due to inconvenience, false sense of security, poor compliance to wear masks, waste management issues such as improper mask disposal in public places due to littering Growth and environmental hazards, especially for children with difficulty wearing masks, persons with developmental disabilities, people with mental illness or breathing problems, those who have had facial trauma or recent oral surgery, and hot and humid environments living in.”