Surgical Masks Are Now Becoming Mandatory in Canada?

After noticing a near-constant decrease in May's cases, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is rapidly spreading in Canada once again.

12:13 05 November 2020

In the first few days of October, the 7-day case average has climbed over 1,500 daily cases. This is a staggering increase from the figure of 400 daily cases from a month ago.

 

That is why all of us must follow the safety measures advised by national and global health experts. This ensures that we are doing our part in battling this deadly disease and keeping our local community safe from its grasp.

 

Maintaining a distance of at least 2 meters is an essential practice, so is washing your hands frequently. But perhaps one of the most effective ways to curb the spread in public settings is wearing a face-covering such as a surgical mask.

 

Why Face Coverings Such As a Surgical Mask Are Important?

 

The novel coronavirus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets. Whenever someone with a COVID-19 infection discharges these droplets into the air, those who contact them can also contract the virus.

 

These droplets can spread through actions including but not limited to coughing, sneezing, breathing, and talking. That’s why Health Canada and global health experts recommend that those who have an infection of COVID-19 seek medical help and avoid contact with other people.

 

However, the novel coronavirus infections are not always detectable. According to various public health agencies, many COVID-19 cases experience little to no symptoms. While some of them may run a low fever or a mild cough, others don’t experience any signs at all. This allows many of those who are infected to continue performing their daily activities without any knowledge of their disease. 

 

With that being said, these mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic patients can still transmit the virus to others through their respiratory droplets. Since many of these patients may not even know that they have a case of COVID-19, these infections are spread inadvertently and become hard to trace. That’s why it’s recommended that we maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from others whenever we are out in public.

 

But maintaining this distance is not always easy, especially when you are in a busy setting such as public transport. Keeping this in mind, Health Canada recommends that everyone wear a face-covering in places where social distancing is not possible.

 

How Can a Mask Help in Curbing the Spread of COVID-19?

 

As different jurisdictions around Canada notice an increase in COVID-19 cases, local officials make it mandatory to wear face coverings instead of merely recommending it as a precaution.

 

This practice is most often seen in public settings, but it is also gaining widespread adoption for other establishments. Many private businesses are also making it mandatory for visitors to wear face coverings to protect their employees and other customers.

 

There is a good reason for this. By wearing a covering such as a surgical mask, you can reduce the chances of your respiratory droplets escaping into the air. In case you have a COVID-19 infection that’s mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic at the time of your public trip, this can bring down the chances of spreading the virus to other people.

 

As a result, masking up the simple act can help you save lives and protect your community. Since the novel coronavirus is spread rapidly through small segments of the population, this action ultimately enables you to safeguard your loved ones and family.

 

This practice is critical during the current circumstances in Canada, where COVID-19 is essentially experiencing a second-wave. To ensure that we can get back to normal life once again, we must practice caution and pay attention to safety advisories.

 

Medical Masks Provide an Effective Way to Fulfill This Requirement

 

Remember that in addition to maintaining a physical distance from others and practicing hand hygiene at all times, wearing a face-covering such as a surgical mask is a highly effective way to curb the spread of COVID-19.

 

According to Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, it’s critical to cover your face whenever social distancing is not possible. Like other public health experts worldwide, Dr. Tam and her team provide this advice in light of scientific findings and data related to COVID-19.

 

These studies all indicate that wearing face masks and reducing the transmission of respiratory droplets directly correlate to decreasing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

 

Surgical masks are mainly used by medical staff or healthcare workers to protect themselves from external splashes and splatter, which is why they are often referred to as medical masks. However, they can also be worn by the general public to absorb the respiratory discharge from their nose and mouth.

 

These masks are made from synthetic fiber with highly absorbent properties. With their multiple layers, comfortable fit, and easy accessibility, surgical masks have become the ideal way to fulfill mandatory face coverings' growing requirements.

 

At the peak of the novel coronavirus outbreak, it had become quite challenging to obtain these masks. But now that the world has focused on manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical uses, these items are also available to the general public in Canada.

 

These Masks are a Convenient Alternative to Cloth Face Coverings

 

While wearing a cloth face covering or mask is sufficient for the general public, it is not the most convenient option. You have to wash cloth masks after consistent use and maintain a constant laundry cycle to make sure clean masks are still available whenever you go out.

 

On the other hand, a disposable surgical mask offers an ideal protection level without the added stress. Since these masks are affordable, they can be safely discarded after each use without weighing down your pockets. As a result, the level of convenience that they offer makes it easier for you to adhere to mask mandates without making it seem like a grueling requirement.

 

Since these masks are now readily available across Canada, you can order them online through select providers. This makes sure that you can protect yourself and your local community without going through any daunting tasks.