How effective is it to wear face mask indoors to prevent COVID-19?
- 4 years ago
실내에서 쓰는 마스크, 코로나 예방에 얼마나 유용할까?
One person sitting at a cafe in the greater Seoul area is now found to have spread the coronavirus to at least 27 people... leading to further secondary and tertiary infections.
It turns out no matter how brief or how far away you are from the index patient, you will be exposed to the virus if both of you aren't wearing masks.
This is particularly true indoors.
Our Jang Tae-hyun finds out how to best protect ourselves from the highly contagious coronavirus.
Concerns about COVID-19 were raised after a cluster infection broke out at a franchise cafe shop in the city of Paju, north of Seoul.
27 people were confirmed with COVID-19 after visiting a Starbucks branch in Paju... but all four employees working during that shift tested negative. The reason: they were wearing face masks.
There are several reasons for the indoor COVID-19 transmission.
The first is that air conditioning can spread the virus around the room.
People can also catch the virus by touching contaminated tables, chairs and doorknobs.
But ventilating buildings by opening windows, and ensuring customers wear a mask, can reduce the risk of infection.
"There are concerns about using the air conditioning. First is that the cafe wasn't ventilated as the windows couldn't be opened. Second is the COVID-19 patient was sitting in front of the air conditioner where the wind is blowing. Droplets can fly away with the wind."
The South Korean government advises people to wear face masks at cafes and restaurants, but there are different views about the guidance.
"When people keep putting on and taking off masks, they might touch its surface. People should avoid touching the surface as it could have been infected with the virus. It's impossible to sanitize hands every time you put on and take off a mask."
Buildings should have their windows open to ventilate the air.
People should also refrain from having meals or drinks indoors.
Instead, they should take their food and drink away to eat at home or in a private place.
Hands carry the virus, so when people touch their eyes, nose or lips, they can be infected.
Masks with stronger filters have had a better effect, but one thing to remember is that whatever the type of mask is,... wearing a mask is the best protection.
Jang Tae-hyun, Arirang News.
One person sitting at a cafe in the greater Seoul area is now found to have spread the coronavirus to at least 27 people... leading to further secondary and tertiary infections.
It turns out no matter how brief or how far away you are from the index patient, you will be exposed to the virus if both of you aren't wearing masks.
This is particularly true indoors.
Our Jang Tae-hyun finds out how to best protect ourselves from the highly contagious coronavirus.
Concerns about COVID-19 were raised after a cluster infection broke out at a franchise cafe shop in the city of Paju, north of Seoul.
27 people were confirmed with COVID-19 after visiting a Starbucks branch in Paju... but all four employees working during that shift tested negative. The reason: they were wearing face masks.
There are several reasons for the indoor COVID-19 transmission.
The first is that air conditioning can spread the virus around the room.
People can also catch the virus by touching contaminated tables, chairs and doorknobs.
But ventilating buildings by opening windows, and ensuring customers wear a mask, can reduce the risk of infection.
"There are concerns about using the air conditioning. First is that the cafe wasn't ventilated as the windows couldn't be opened. Second is the COVID-19 patient was sitting in front of the air conditioner where the wind is blowing. Droplets can fly away with the wind."
The South Korean government advises people to wear face masks at cafes and restaurants, but there are different views about the guidance.
"When people keep putting on and taking off masks, they might touch its surface. People should avoid touching the surface as it could have been infected with the virus. It's impossible to sanitize hands every time you put on and take off a mask."
Buildings should have their windows open to ventilate the air.
People should also refrain from having meals or drinks indoors.
Instead, they should take their food and drink away to eat at home or in a private place.
Hands carry the virus, so when people touch their eyes, nose or lips, they can be infected.
Masks with stronger filters have had a better effect, but one thing to remember is that whatever the type of mask is,... wearing a mask is the best protection.
Jang Tae-hyun, Arirang News.