When I wrote the post on the relationship between COVID-19 and mathematics, there were approximately 672,000 confirmed cases and 31,191 confirmed deaths. For the record, these were the numbers as of March 29th, 2020. Today, there are over 17 million confirmed cases and 670,000 confirmed deaths -- 17 times worse than the situation four months ago. Honestly, I knew the coronavirus was going to last for another couple months, yet I wasn't expecting the conditions to become this dire. Ever since the virus outbreak, we were told about the importance of wearing masks and the difference it could make in the long-run. Some countries took the advice seriously; some did not. Some people took the advice seriously; many did not. Regardless of our past mistakes, now more than ever is the time to wear a mask.
Logically, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, it makes sense to cover your mouth with a mask. Yet, multiple experiments have also shown how masks play a vital role in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Down below, you can see one of the tests conducted by Dr. Richard Davis.
Through the demonstration, the scientist highlighted that masks significantly reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and bacteria. One of his demos also emphasized social distancing and showed how keeping your distance could mitigate the pandemic and "flatten the curve".
Here are two more experiments showcasing the influence and importance of wearing masks during the current health crisis from Sui Huang and Florida Atlantic University, respectively:
Wearing a mask indeed takes some getting used to. Properly wearing a mask is equally as crucial as wearing a mask. One of the biggest mistakes people make is fidgeting with their masks, pulling them under their nose, or resting the mask under their chins. "You should absolutely not be pulling up and putting down your mask while you're out," said Shan Soe-Lin, a lecturer at the Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. As Dr. Scott Segal, chairman of anesthesiology at Wake Forest Baptist Health, says, "you are probably wearing it exactly right if it's a little stuffy."
According to Tara Parker-Pope of the New York Times, here are a few dos and don'ts when wearing a mask:
DON'T: Wear the mask below your nose.
DON'T: Leave your chin exposed.
DON'T: Wear your mask loosely with gaps on the sides.
DON'T: Wear your mask so it covers just the tip of your nose.
DON'T: Push your mask down under your chin to rest on your neck.
*DO*: Wear your mask so it comes all the way up, close to the bridge of your nose, and all the way down under your chin. Do your best to tighten the loops or ties so it’s snug around your face, without gaps.
While we're at it, here are other tips to stay safe during this pandemic:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are sick & Practice social distancing
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (tables, computers, phones, doorknobs, sinks, switches, etc.) on a daily basis
As the saying goes, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Let's not make the same mistake of deciding not to wear our masks.
Cover Photo: Courtesy of Yale Medicine
Dr. Davis Demonstration Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Richard Davis (BoredPanda)
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