Should you be wearing masks now? Experts answer
India Today
Experts give their opinion on whether you should continue wearing masks.
The sudden increase in Covid-19 cases in Mumbai has raised the question of wearing face masks yet again. The Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who held a meeting with the state Covid-19 task force on June 2 asked people to wear masks if restrictions are to be avoided. Thackeray laid emphasis on the need to continue wearing masks, maintain social distance and vaccinations.
At a time when active cases in Maharashtra increased seven times in just one and a half months, experts say that citizens should take initiative on their own rather than wait for the state government to make some rules mandatory. The experts rule in favour of the masks.
Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, the consultant and head of critical care at Mahim’s SL Raheja hospital said that the elderly and the young ones with comorbidities should start wearing masks. He said that this must be done despite the emergence of compliance fatigue among the people.
ALSO READ | Centre writes to 5 states to monitor situation as Covid cases rise again
He said that for a populated place like Mumbai, masking is all the more important, else it will be easier for the virus to transmit and infect many people. “It can also lead to the emergence of new viral variants, which could potentially be aggressive,” he added.
Dr Anita Mathew, infectious disease specialist at Mulund’s Fortis Hospital also strongly advocated the use of masks. “We don’t need a government advisory to start wearing masks. It is best that everyone wears masks and maintains social distance when they step out so that they reduce their chances of getting infected. Masking appropriately, especially in enclosed spaces, is essential. It is equally essential to maintain social distancing and wash hands when required,” she said.
