Mask up, Northwest!

By Emily Krupicka

As schools reopen their doors, many districts, including Northwest Public Schools, are requiring students to wear face coverings at all times. Despite this, many students are still confused about the science surrounding the effectiveness of face masks.

In a press release, Dr. Robert Redfield, director of The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stressed the importance of face masks in a community setting.

“The novel coronavirus is spread person-to- person through respiratory droplets that emerge from coughing, sneezing and talking,” Redfield explained. “Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus.”

The CDC has recommended that all people wear a mask in public areas and especially in areas where social distancing is not possible. This is a sentiment that local doctors can attest to as well.

“Face coverings are intended to keep the virus in, not keep it out,” explained Dr. Erich Fruehling, an
interventional cardiologist in Grand Island. “If we knew who was sick, those kids would be the only ones who would need to wear a mask; however, since many kids are asymptomatic, it’s more effective for everyone to wear a mask.”

So far, the Central District Health Departments has reported 2,131 lab-confirmed cases in Hall County since the first reported case in mid-March. Experts have pleaded with schools, encouraging them to follow guidance from local health departments, as many medical professionals fear that number will spike even more with the reopening of schools.

“When we open schools, we’re going to need to do it safely. We’re going to need to do it sensibly,” Redfield stated.

This advice has triggered skepticism among the public. In fact, many Americans have objected to taking precautions against the coronavirus, citing the idea that masks do more harm than good. The science, however, contradicts this statement.

“Thin paper or cloth masks will not lead to hypoxia (an oxygen deficiency),” said Professor Keith Neal, an infectious disease expert. “Surgeons operate for hours wearing them, and they don’t have these problems. When worn properly, a mask will not pose any respiratory-related health risks.”

Neal stated that the confusion surrounding masks has derived from falsified social media posts that “look legitimate.” These posts are heavily reliant on evidence that has been taken out of context or evidence that is completely inaccurate.

Based on the misinformation circulating throughout the internet, the CDC has noted that masks aren’t guaranteed to completely protect people from the novel coronavirus. Masks do, however, strongly mitigate the chances of becoming infected, something that’s vital to keeping schools open.

Although masks may pose a minor inconvenience throughout the day, they’re effective in slowing the spread of coronavirus. With the case of masks, it is clear that the science has spoken for itself.