Not everyone is suitable to wear face masks

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

A report on Daily Mail Online on 19 May 2020 suggests that not everyone is suitable to wear face masks. These people include people who may find it difficult to manage them correctly and patients with weaker lungs and asthma patients.

The report mentioned people who have asthma or illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis may find masks or face coverings make it hard for them to breathe.

Masks can make people more difficult to draw air into the lungs, may trigger asthma for some patients and can also cause anxiety which changes people's breathing patterns. 

Experts say people should wear a mask if they comfortably can, to protect themselves and others around them, but not risk their own health in the process.

In Singapore, experts and the Government say people engaging in strenuous exercises and running do not need to put on face masks. However, it is compulsory to put on face masks when walking outside, in public places or risk fines if caught, and in public transport and offices.

In many countries and regions such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, PRC, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, face masks are mandatory during the pandemic. Increasingly on flights, these are also compulsory.

It is time to realize that there are people among the population as well as patients with weaker lungs and upper respiratory tracts that are unsuitable to wear face masks.

British's Cabinet Office advises, "Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions."

Respiratory conditions are illnesses that interfere with someone's breathing such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or lung cancer. 

In this case, the world should consider increasing the supplies of face shields rather than increasing supplies of face masks, many of which were produced in low quality such as those from PRC. Besides, N95 masks are only reserved for medical experts and frontline medical workers.

Ref :
Sam Blanchard, People with lung conditions should NOT wear face masks of it makes it hard to breathe, experts caution as hot air and tight fit can trigger symptoms, Daily Mail Online,
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8332037/People-lung-conditions-NOT-wear-face-masks-makes-hard-breathe.html?ito=social-facebook&fbclid=IwAR1dY-xX15ipWbrItDkEO7yAj7lIxnn0-EZGe1C1u52e_D3vh5Mdb9ojrfo