Walking Maskless? Paper vs. Cloth Mask? Dr. Mallika Marshall Answers Coronavirus Questions

BOSTON (CBS) – Dr. Mallika Marshall is answering your coronavirus-related medical questions. If you have a question for Dr. Mallika, email her or message her on Facebook or Twitter. Dr. Mallika is offering her best advice, but as always, consult your personal doctor before making any decisions about your personal health. Many people walk without masks until they see another walker coming toward them. Is it safe for me to walk on the same paths where others have walked unmasked? – Joan Being outdoors provides good ventilation and allows any virus in the air to disperse quickly. I do, however, believe that everyone who is walking anywhere near others, whether it’s on a sidewalk or on a path or in a park, should be wearing a mask, as an extra precaution. Is it safe to swim at a gym if you keep it to one person per lane? – Esther It really depends on the ventilation in the building and how likely you are to come into contact with the respiratory droplets of someone else in the pool area. You can’t wear a mask when you swim, which makes being in a closed space with others less safe. And if you are at high risk of COVID complications, it’s probably better for you to swim alone or find an outdoor pool. Are cloth masks more effective than paper masks? – Mike Those blue disposable surgical masks that healthcare workers use look like paper but are usually made from a material derived from plastic called polypropylene. In a recent study, these masks outper...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Syndicated Local Coronavirus Dr. Mallika Marshall Source Type: news