Experts discussed the "myths" about wearing masks

ArmInfo. In parallel with the spread of COVID-19, which has already infected more than 16.7 million people in the world, opinions continue to spread actively, some of which are true and some are myths.

As part of the Covid Talks discussions,  epidemiologist Arman Badalyan, pulmonologist, member of the European  Respiratory Association Irina Khachatryan and epidemiologist Maria  Ter-Stepanyan discussed controversial claims about the need to wear  masks during a pandemic.  Thus, it is believed that with prolonged  wearing of the mask, a person will have breathing problems. It is  said that masks reduce the supply of oxygen to the body by up to 60%  and increase the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. The hypothesis  is especially common these days, when the air temperature is above  normal, and wearing a mask in extreme heat is quite difficult.

Pulmonologist Irina Khachatryan claims that if a person wears the  mask correctly and observes all safety rules, he will not have  breathing problems.

The question of wearing cloth masks is also common. Many people  believe that no matter what fabric the mask is made of, the main  thing is that it covers the nose and mouth. This version spread in  Armenia, especially after a number of officials announced that  instead of a mask (bandage), you can wear a scarf and bandana to  protect yourself from the coronavirus. Cloth masks are less effective  than surgical respirators, according to the US Centers for Disease  Control and Prevention. However, sheet masks can provide some  protection if properly made and worn correctly.

Another common misconception is that all types of masks can be used  multiple times by washing or disinfecting with an alcohol-based  solution, as this removes possible pathogens from the surface of the  mask, making it effective again. <Cloth masks can be washed, in  particular, it is advisable to wash them with hot water and soap. As  for medical masks, at one point, due to a shortage, a rumor spread  that they could be washed and re-worn. Today, there is no such  deficit, and it is advisable not to wear medical masks again, because  initially they are designed for one-time use, "said epidemiologist  Maria Ter-Stepanyan.