Top medic says cloth masks don’t protect against Covid-19

A prominent infectious disease specialist at Bangkok’s Phramongkutklao Hospital says cloth masks are ineffective against Covid-19 and people should wear surgical masks. Nation Thailand reports that Dr Thanaphan Phibunbannakit has called on the government to procure additional surgical masks as Thailand logs 4,786 new infections and a record high of 53 deaths.

Thanaphan says people who are yet to receive their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine or those waiting on alternative vaccines are at risk of Covid-19 infection. He is urging people to continue adhering to disease prevention measures such as regular hand washing.

“We are so worried about vaccine brands or virus mutations that we forget the principle that we will not be infected with Covid-19 if we do not come into contact with it.”

According to Thanaphan, cloth masks cannot protect wearers from contracting the virus, given that they don’t have the aluminium strip needed to keep the mask tightly in place. Cloth masks that drop down while the wearer is talking are ineffective at protecting people from the virus. He adds that face masks can protect people from all variants of Covid-19 but only if they’re worn correctly.

“Therefore, the government must procure surgical masks to give away or sell at cheap prices. Meanwhile, it must publicise how to wear face masks properly.”

SOURCE: Nation Thailand