Why you Should Wear a Face Mask

It feels like a lifetime ago that governments were beginning to discuss lockdown procedures and introducing us to ‘social distancing’ measures, and as we begin to enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccines and booster vaccines in mass circulation, some people may find themselves asking: ‘Why should I need to wear a face mask anymore?’

It’s a common question, especially as governments across the globe are easing up on mask mandates, and it’s generating a lot of discussions worldwide. So, why should you? The simple answer is because they work, and continue to be an effective method of reducing the likelihood of being infected with the virus.

Vaccines, despite their brilliance, are not 100% effective in mitigating the virus and as always, the best method of protection is to prevent yourself from catching it in the first place. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is both airborne and highly contagious, making FFP2 masks an essential tool in combating it.

Despite this, discussion on masks has become a heated topic in recent months with many people confidently (and incorrectly) stating that they are of little to no help in defending oneself. While this may be true for certain face coverings, particularly cloth or fabric masks or items of clothing such as scarves, the same cannot be said for multi-layered masks such as those conforming to N95 or FFP2 standards.

The ‘droplets’ containing the virus will have no issue in getting into your respiratory system if given the chance, and whilst vaccines may lessen the toll this takes on your body, an FFP2 face mask may have prevented you from contracting it in the first place.

FFP2 and N95 face masks are particularly effective at filtering these microscopic aerosol droplets, ‘catching’ them on the outside of the mask before they are able to do any damage to the wearer. Whilst this is clearly the safer option, these particles will remain on the outside of the mask often for some time, posing a threat during removal or PPE changes.

ViraCoat’s Neutrapodal technology works to kill these particles within minutes of contact, further eliminating the risk of transmission and working hard to protect the wearer from cross-contamination of viruses and bacteria.

The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend wearing a face mask whenever you are able to whilst outdoors, and strictly advises wearing one if in an indoor area. Globally recognised and esteemed virologist Prof. Muhammad Munir added: ‘It is imperative that if you are indoors and amongst others, you should be wearing the most protective mask possible. The chance of transmission for a virus between two people is almost removed if both individuals are wearing masks and maintaining a social distance.’

The UK government, whilst no longer enforcing the use of face masks by law, is still heavily encouraging that they be worn in crowded and enclosed spaces, or in circumstances where you are likely to meet others you may not normally come into contact with.