Think a face mask will protect you from virus?

Think a face mask will protect you from the virus?  You might want to think again.

An overkill, or no?

After two months of learning about the situation in Wuhan China, the outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19 has not gotten any better but only worse, even as countries try to contain it.  The death toll in China has already surpassed 2000.  Japan has more than 100 cases, and South Korea has more than 500 cases.  The US has issued a level 3 travel ban to China for more than two weeks now and has just heightened the travel advisory to both Japan and South Korea from level 1 to level 2 yesterday.  

Many people rush to get face masks thinking they will protect you from getting the virus.  Face masks in Asia are already a rare commodity.  But, you will be surprised.  The CDC does not agree with you.  They recommend not wearing the mask if you are not sick.   In other words, wear it only if you are sick.  And it's written in their guidelines.  

"CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19."

Their guidelines do not really differ from their recommendations during the regular flu season.  However, I do not agree with their face mask recommendation, seeing how quickly COVID-19 is spreading.  There are just too many things we don't know about this virus.  But they do suggest washing your hands with soapy water for at least twenty seconds, which I agree with.  And it is because you can still touch your face with your dirty hands when you take your mask off to eat or do something else.

New evidence is suggesting that the necessary quarantine period for COVID-19 could be over 14 days (Washington Post), seeing that people are being tested positive after 14 days of quarantine.  There is also evidence showing that coronavirus can stay active on the metal surfaces for several days.  People in the US do not have the habits of wearing masks regularly but it might be a good idea to start now.  We already know that COVID-19 can transmit before someone shows symptoms - unlike the regular flu virus, so if you waited until you are sick to put on a mask, it might be too late. 

My strategy is to wash your hands with soapy water frequently, use a hand sanitizer, wear a face mask and put on some glasses (to avoid spit into our eyes).  I might look like I'm going into a nuclear zone, but it's better to be safe than sorry.  What's your strategy for fighting against COVID-19?