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Austin South Asian | August 2020
Face Masks: Myths, Facts And Social Pressures (Continued From Page 01) Reading that in print myself helped me confirm an opinion under discussion in chat groups and between friends where people are showing skepticism about the importance of wearing masks citing studies and news articles from untrustworthy sources.
care about your loved ones, your friends and your city. In fact, the ones who think they
don’t care about wearing face masks and put pressure on others are actually doing a disservice to themselves and those around them. Such people wonder why face masks weren’t recommended at the start of the pandemic. According to Mayo Clinic, “At that time, experts didn’t know the extent to which people with COVID-19 could spread the virus before symptoms appeared. Nor was it known that some people have COVID-19 but don’t have any symptoms.
In fact, comments like, “Aren’t you being too careful?” or “We don’t care about masks!” are making it harder for those who do practice care. Those experiencing social pressure should feel at ease because scientific facts with real data on reputable cites online tells us that the advantages of wearing a face mask are far greater, less risky and of vital importance if you genuinely
Both groups can unknowingly spread the virus to
MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings Could Travel Early To UAE For IPL 2020 The MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings will be the first team to travel to United Arab Emirates for the Indian Premier League 2020, according to a report in Gulf News.
fore the tournament was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some key players have been training individually as well. Most no-
organisers are still awaiting the approval from the Union government for taking IPL out of India. With the announcement of the schedule, Dhoni’s fans expect that he
others.” The University of Maryland (umms.org) has a list of facts and myths about facemasks: Myth: Other masks are more effective than cloth masks. Fact: Different types of masks serve different purposes, but cloth masks are highly effective for the general public. The average person who is not working in a medical environment with COVID-19 patients should wear a cloth mask to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers. Myth: Masks can cause carbon dioxide (CO2) build-up. Fact: Some people have suggested that carbon dioxide from exhaling gets trapped under the cloth and can make you sick. This isn’t true. Properly fitted masks offer adequate airflow while still covering your nose and mouth. This makes the accumulation of carbon dioxide impossible. However, people with breathing problems, children under age 2, and those who can’t remove the mask without assistance should not wear one. Myth: If you’ve had coronavirus, you don’t need a mask. Fact: If you’ve had a coronavirus before or had an antibody test come up positive, you may believe that you don’t need to wear a mask.
While most teams are expected to reach UAE by August 20, CSK could head there in the second week of August to acclimatise to conditions and prepare for the tournament. CSK were the runners-up last season, having lost to Mumbai Indians in a thrilling final. Interestingly, CSK had kick-started their preparations early in March this year be-
tably, Suresh Raina has been hitting the nets frequently along with the likes of Piyush Chawla and Rishabh Pant and posting updates on social media. Recently, Dhoni’s followers on Twitter had now gone berserk after IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed that the tournament will be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 8. However, the
will again don the yellow jersey of Chennai Super Kings and lead the franchise in the tournament. Former India cricketer Kidambi Srikanth, expressing his excitement, said that he is looking forward to seeing Dhoni play again. Thought it’s not been officially announced, the IPL is expected to begin on September 19. (Courtesy: https://www.news18.com/)
Unfortunately, at this time, there is no way to know whether having coronavirus once provides immunity from the virus again or how long that your immunity might last. This means that you could potentially catch the disease again and spread it to others. Myth: You don’t need to wear a mask outside. Fact: At this time, being outside is generally considered safer than being inside.
When taking a stroll or participating in other outdoor activities by yourself or with people you live with, a mask isn’t required. However, when you find it difficult to maintain at least six feet of distance from people you don’t live with – such as passing someone on a sidewalk or eating out at a restaurant – it’s important to have your mask on. You should always have your mask on hand when you leave your home. The CDC recommends that you wear a cloth face mask when you’re around people who don’t live with you and in public settings when social distancing is difficult. Here are a few pointers for putting on and taking off a cloth mask: • Wash or sanitize your hands before and after putting on and taking off your mask. • Place your mask over your mouth and nose. • Tie it behind your head or use ear loops and make sure it’s snug. • Don’t touch your mask while wearing it. • If you accidentally touch your mask, wash or sanitize your hands. • If your mask becomes wet or dirty, switch to a clean one. Put the used mask in a sealable bag until you can wash it. • Remove the mask by untying it or lifting off the ear loops without touching the front of the mask or your face. • Wash your hands immediately after removing your mask. • Regularly wash your mask with soap and water by hand or in the washing machine. It’s fine to launder it with other clothes.