I found this article very helpful in sorting out some of the
noise we are hearing about the great debates of our day: masks and social
distancing. Again I’m not a big fan of either but I do see this as necessary
stuff we need to do to get through this mess. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors, this is one counter-intuitive way we can. All bold and enlarged text was done by me for emphasis…
COVID-19: Myths Versus Facts about social distancing and
masks
(from https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/MHSF/covid-19-myths-vs-facts.pdf)
Myth: If I am outdoors, I do not need to practice social
distancing.
Fact: While it is less likely that you will catch COVID-19
in open areas, it is still important to stay at least 6 feet away from others.
Some people with COVID-19 have no symptoms and can spread the disease through
respiratory droplets.
Myth: If I and everyone around me are wearing cloth face
coverings, there’s no need to practice social distancing.
Fact: Wearing a cloth face covering is NOT a replacement for
social distancing. Whenever you are outside your home or around anyone outside
your immediate household circle, you should stay 6 feet away from others. Doing
both provides two layers of protection against the spread of COVID-19.
Myth: If I and everyone around me are social distancing,
there’s no need to use cloth face covering.
Fact: As stated above, wearing a cloth face covering
provides an extra layer of protection against the spread of COVID-19.
Myth: A cloth face covering doesn’t block the virus. I need
a surgical mask or special “N95” mask.
Fact: Experiments have shown that various coverings,
including folded bandannas and cloth face coverings, block respiratory
droplets.
Myth: Face coverings don’t prevent the spread of COVID-19 or
other diseases.
Fact: Coverings can stop the evaporation of droplets that
carry viruses so they fall quickly instead of traveling on a forward path and
floating in the air. Further, droplets get far less momentum and can’t travel
as far when exhalation is blocked by a mask.
Myth: There’s no research to support the recommendation to
wear a face covering to prevent COVID-19.
Fact: More and more research is showing that face
coverings prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recently reviewed the latest science and said cloth face coverings
could reduce the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally
within communities.
The
director of the agency has said that, if everyone in the U.S. were to wear
masks, the pandemic here could be controlled within four to eight weeks.
Updated July 27, 2020.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit
coronavirus.ohio.gov
For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH
(1-833-427-5634).
Your mental health is just as important as your physical
health. If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to the
coronavirus pandemic, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call
the COVID-19 CareLine at 1-800-720-9616.
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