TYH: How effective are surgical masks against COVID-19?

Apr 21, 2020 | 8:30 AM

Grocery stores near and far have sold out of things such as single-use gloves, hand-sanitizer, even toilet paper (which I still can’t wrap my head around) and surgical masks.

I wanted to know just how effective surgical masks were when it came to COVID-19…I mean if stores had sold out…were people onto something?

We spoke with Rakel Kling, a Medical Health Officer for Northern Health to see what benefits there were to wearing masks amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What masks really do…is prevent droplets that you produce when you cough or sneeze.”—Rakel Kling, Medical Health Officer, Northern Health

“What they do is they prevent other people (from) getting sick from you, rather than you getting sick from others,” Kling continued.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO) only healthy people who are taking care of someone with a suspected case of COVID-19 are suggested to wear a mask.

Photo Courtesy of World Health Organization

Kling says that if you are sick wearing a mask does help prevent droplets from spreading and potentially getting others sick.

“If you do choose to wear a mask when you’re out in public it doesn’t mean that you can’t do all the other preventative tips that our Provincial Health Officer has been telling us about,” said Kling.

Those other tips include, washing your hands regularly, social distancing, staying home if you are sick and staying home as much as you can.

by Veronica Beltran

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TYH: How effective are surgical masks against COVID-19?

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