S’pore Doctor Says People Who Are Obese & Above 65 Should Wear Masks During COVID-19 Outbreak

2020-02-13 , 6:00 am

With the COVID-19 outbreak, masks and hand sanitisers are flying off the shelves.

After Singapore went into DORSCON Orange, staple food like abalone, rice and other daily essentials started flying as well.

But one burning question that every Singaporean has would probably be this: should I wear a face mask too?

Some Say Yes, Some Say No

If you’ve been keeping updated via WhatsApp news (news you receive on WhatsApp), you might come across some people saying, YES.

After all, double protection is better than single protection, yes?

But then, experts and the government previously said that you don’t have to wear a face mask unless you’re sick.

So which is correct?

Infectious Disease Physician Answers Questions Regarding COVID-19

On 9 Feb 2020, Singapore Press Holdings held a Facebook live-streaming event where they brought in celebrities, guest speakers and singers to thank our medical workers and raise funds for relief efforts.

Along with these distinguished guest is Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an Infectious Diseases Physician at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.

He was there to answer questions posed by the public and guests.

And the first question was, Should we or should we not wear a mask?

Sick People, People Above 65 Years Old & Obese People Should

According to Dr Leong, if you’re sick, you must wear a mask.

But other than this group, there is another group that should be wearing masks.

They are the elderly, people who are above 65 years old, and obese people, people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30.

The reason is that this group of people are considered high-risk individuals.

But if you’re healthy, wearing a mask is optional.

He added that the virus can be transmitted to you anytime, although the chances of that happening aren’t very high.

Don’t Anyhowly Waste Your Mask

In case you can’t tell by what’s happening in Singapore right now, we do not have enough masks in Singapore.

Which is also why profiteers who are looking to make a quick buck off you can thrive here.

If you don’t like wasting masks, I have good news for you.

According to the good doctor, you can actually use the same mask for days.

“If the mask is dry and not torn, you can wear it for six to 12 hours, or more. I’ve used the same mask over a day or two, sometimes even the first half of the third day”.

But he insists that masks should not be shared between individuals.

The surgical mask is used to prevent germs from passing through and whatever germs that are on the inside of the mask is yours alone.

So as long as you use the mask correctly, you should be safe.

S’pore Doctor Says People Who Are Obese & Above 65 Should Wear Masks During COVID-19 Outbreak

Some Say Yes, Some Say No

Infectious Disease Physician Answers Questions Regarding COVID-19

Sick People, People Above 65 Years Old & Obese People Should

Don’t Anyhowly Waste Your Mask

More Burning Questions About COVID-19 Answered

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