Healthy people don't need to wear masks - Experts

While people are in panic buying face masks, health experts remind that masks are only needed for those who are ill. 

Dr. Alberts Domingo, a World health Organization (WHO) consultant for health Systems Strengthening said, consider wearing a face mask when you are sick with a cough, colds, or have a difficulty in breathing. But if you're not sick, then a mask is not required.

Short answer: Wear a face mask ONLY if you have fever, cough, colds, difficulty breathing or other respiratory symptoms. If you are not sick, then a mask is NOT required.

— Albert Domingo (@AlbertDomingo) January 30, 2020

Instead, "avoid crowds. Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands often, or use an alcohol-based hand rub if the hands do not look dirty."

FOR SICK PERSON:

"Sick individuals should wear a face mask properly. Cover the mouth and nose and tie securely to minimise any gaps between the face and the mask. While in use, avoid touching the mask."

"When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with your flexed elbow/upper arm. If using tissue paper, dispose of the tissue immediately after use and then wash hands/use alcohol-based hand rub. Do not touch your mouth and nose."

"When removing the mask, do not touch the front; remove the ties/garter from behind. After removal or whenever you inadvertently touch a used mask, clean hands by using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water if visibly dirty." 

"Replace masks with a new clean, dry mask as soon as they become damp/humid. Do not re-use single-use masks. Discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of them immediately upon removal. Cloth (e.g. cotton or gauze) masks are not recommended under any circumstance."

ABOUT THE VIRUS:

1. It is pretty large in size (cell is about 400-500nm diameter), so any normal mask (not just the N95 feature) should be able to filter it out. However, when someone who's infected sneezes in front of you, it will take a great 3 meters (about 10 feet) before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.

2. When the virus drops on metal surface, it will live for at least 12 hours. So remember if you come in contact with any metal surface, wash your hands with soap thoroughly.

3. The virus can remain active on fabric for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent should kill the virus. But if you are really worried, you can add some non-chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach . For winter clothing that does not require daily washing, you can put it out under the sun to kill the virus.

ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PNEUMONIA CAUSED BY CORONAVIRUS:

1. It will first infect the throat, so the throat will have the dry sore throat feeling which will last for 3 to 4 days

2. Then the virus will blend into the nasal fluid and drips into the trachea and enter the lungs, causing pneumonia. This process will take 5 to 6 days.

3. With pneumonia, comes high fever and difficulty in breathing. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You will feel like you are drowning in water. It's important to go seek immediate medical attention if you feel like this.