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I Noticed People Using Masks To Protect Themselves From Viruses All Wrong, So I Created These Infocomics To Explain How To Use Them Properly
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion and controversy about mask usage. It is crucial for the right people to wear masks if we are to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. The good news is, if everyone does this, we can prevent the spread of other infectious diseases as well!
The coronavirus comic in my previous post is missing some other precautions from WHO, which some astute commenters have pointed out. I’m planning to create a new one that includes the latest recommendations from WHO and have started getting all my coronavirus and COVID-19-related comics vetted by doctors.
More info: comicsforgood.com | Instagram | Facebook | twitter.com
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The fact that my simple comic covering the basic aspects of keeping safe from the coronavirus has gone viral has made me realize there is a large gap in risk communication to the public when an epidemic strikes.
That is why I’ve chosen to continue fighting misinformation by publishing more COVID-19 “health advisory” comics. It is essential that the public is aware of basic facts on COVID-19 and understands their government’s strategy to combat it within their countries. I hope these free comics will be able to cut through the misinformation and educate communities in countries with weak health systems, as well as countries in conflict or poor governance, because they are the least likely to have access to credible sources of information. Misinformation about diseases is dangerous to one’s self and society at large.
Thanks go to doctors Kenneth Tan Kian Wee and Ariel Quahe for their advice and help in understanding the topic better. Any errors are mine.
Thank you for the response to my first post! If you haven’t seen it yet, click here. If you would like to find all the comics, current and future in one place, go to my website. You can find translations in dozens of languages made by many volunteers, download the comics, and maybe even donate.
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Amber Crouch 5 years ago
Also keep in mind that some people who look healthy are wearing masks because they're imunocompromised. People with copd, cancer and chronic illness are at higher risk of catching something and will have a harder time fighting it off.
Spikey Bunny 5 years ago
I have severe asthma, and terrible allergies. I tend to catch everything and it almost always ends up in my lungs. Yes, I get a flu shot every year, and a pneumonia shot every 5 years. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't actually pretty scared of this virus even though I don't live in an area with Covid-18 cases right now... I think about masks, but they are uncomfortable, frustrating, and people don't understand when they see me wearing one. Looks like I'll just keep washing my hands and staying at home as much as possible. At least warm weather is coming soon and the sun will feel warm on my face as I sit alone in my garden.
Load More Replies...
Ada Ho 5 years ago
Thats wrong!!! Remember you can still spread the virus during the incubation period. ie, the period when you catch the virus but no symptoms yet. Thats why people travelled from countries with outbreak should isolate for 14 days even they are feeling healthy! The incubation period for Wuhan virus can be up to 24 days! So if you only wear mask if you are sick, you could already be spreading the virus to thousands of people!!
Rodolfo Aguinaldo 5 years ago
sadly the case indeed, im sick and tired of people who keep saying "blah blah if you're sick" , the fact of the matter is that covid19's greatest advantage is that it spreads before you start showing symptoms.
Load More Replies...
Jim Ellington 5 years ago
If you're sick, stay at home instead of going out in public to spread your pestilence. It's simple - don't be an a*****e.
Full Name 5 years ago
The problem is that you're contagious before it's obvious you're sick.
Load More Replies...
Brent Hollett 5 years ago (edited)
Conversely, do not stigmatize people who are wearing a mask but are not sick. a) I have an N95 wrap around mask (earhooks and velcro etc) that I use when riding in the city. b) I bought this mask and spare filters about a year ago and still have filters. c) I am not "wasting masks" by wearing it. d) I am also successfully not touching my nose and mouth when wearing it. While 'surgical masks' which are basically mouth covers are not of any use to a healthy person, a properly worn N95 mask is still worthwhile and not something I plan to give away my only one of. Also, if you *are* sick, don't wear an N95 mask with open return valves, because it completely defeats the purpose of wearing a mask.
Full Name 5 years ago
That last part is a very good point. Never thought about that.
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
TO NOT SHARE A VIRUS: Wear the little blue mask that loops over your ears. TO NOT GET A VIRUS: Buy a respirator with N95 filter. B/c the respirator fits properly to your face, and the blue mask doesn't,.... BUT MOST OF ALL ..... WASH YOUR HANDS!
Full Name 5 years ago
Agreed. Those surgical masks will not stop you from getting it. Also, people forget about the eyes. Your eyes are really vulnerable to viruses.
Load More Replies...
Serene Yap 5 years ago
i think such infographics or comics are very misleading too. Designers are creating these really cute graphics base on your own judgement and designers are not medical expert, nor is the designer being engaged by a medical institution to disseminate such information. While I understand why healthy people shouldn't wear mask, we should also consider that different countries have different approach and rationale. Or even, others may wear mask for other medication reasons and reasons for such. So please do not stigmatise people who do. If someone wishes to wear mask, it's their choice and freedom to do so. So please stop sharing such infographics.
Kim Bush 5 years ago
Sigh.... People are still thinking that any kind of mask will protect them from the coronavirus. This simply isn't true. Only by thoroughly washing your hands and limiting your contact with groups of people can you actually protect yourself. So stop stealing masks from hospitals and Dr's offices. You're not protecting yourself and you're only making it harder for the professionals to do their jobs.
Dennis Lo 5 years ago
While I do not disagree with the conclusions that those displaying symptoms should wear a mask to protect others and that improper removal of PPE can also increase risks of the wearer, there are scientific evidence showing that wearing a surgical mask does provide some level of protection against respiratory infections. Case in point, Uchida et al (2016) suggested that "wearing of masks were effective in infection control." https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301553?via%3Dihub Systematic review conducted by Barasheed et al (2016) suggests that "Facemask use seems to be beneficial against certain respiratory infections at MGs (mass gatherings)". https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(16)31010-4/fulltext
Load More Replies... John Smith 5 years ago
If you're "healthy" wear a damn mask if you want to wear a mask. That is all.
Monster munch 5 years ago
Wearing a mask when you don't need to/don't know how to is counterproductive. To be effective the mask needs to be sealed. An untrained mask user is likely to need to be adjusting the mask which will involve touching the face which helps infections spread. Masks can create a false sense of security. Let's not create a mask shortage when there are people who need them.
Load More Replies...
Felix Feline 5 years ago
Person in the supermarket this morning carrying a sodden handkerchief and sneezing without covering up as she moved along the produce aisles. What's wrong with some people?!!?
Rodolfo Aguinaldo 5 years ago
well meaning but misinformed. people who think themselves healthy are often the reason covid19 is spreading. it becomes infectious before you show symptoms. how people can't seem to register it inside their brains is beyond me.
Amber Crouch 5 years ago
Also keep in mind that some people who look healthy are wearing masks because they're imunocompromised. People with copd, cancer and chronic illness are at higher risk of catching something and will have a harder time fighting it off.
Spikey Bunny 5 years ago
I have severe asthma, and terrible allergies. I tend to catch everything and it almost always ends up in my lungs. Yes, I get a flu shot every year, and a pneumonia shot every 5 years. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't actually pretty scared of this virus even though I don't live in an area with Covid-18 cases right now... I think about masks, but they are uncomfortable, frustrating, and people don't understand when they see me wearing one. Looks like I'll just keep washing my hands and staying at home as much as possible. At least warm weather is coming soon and the sun will feel warm on my face as I sit alone in my garden.
Load More Replies... Ada Ho 5 years ago
Thats wrong!!! Remember you can still spread the virus during the incubation period. ie, the period when you catch the virus but no symptoms yet. Thats why people travelled from countries with outbreak should isolate for 14 days even they are feeling healthy! The incubation period for Wuhan virus can be up to 24 days! So if you only wear mask if you are sick, you could already be spreading the virus to thousands of people!!
Rodolfo Aguinaldo 5 years ago
sadly the case indeed, im sick and tired of people who keep saying "blah blah if you're sick" , the fact of the matter is that covid19's greatest advantage is that it spreads before you start showing symptoms.
Load More Replies... Jim Ellington 5 years ago
If you're sick, stay at home instead of going out in public to spread your pestilence. It's simple - don't be an a*****e.
Full Name 5 years ago
The problem is that you're contagious before it's obvious you're sick.
Load More Replies... Brent Hollett 5 years ago (edited)
Conversely, do not stigmatize people who are wearing a mask but are not sick. a) I have an N95 wrap around mask (earhooks and velcro etc) that I use when riding in the city. b) I bought this mask and spare filters about a year ago and still have filters. c) I am not "wasting masks" by wearing it. d) I am also successfully not touching my nose and mouth when wearing it. While 'surgical masks' which are basically mouth covers are not of any use to a healthy person, a properly worn N95 mask is still worthwhile and not something I plan to give away my only one of. Also, if you *are* sick, don't wear an N95 mask with open return valves, because it completely defeats the purpose of wearing a mask.
Full Name 5 years ago
That last part is a very good point. Never thought about that.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
TO NOT SHARE A VIRUS: Wear the little blue mask that loops over your ears. TO NOT GET A VIRUS: Buy a respirator with N95 filter. B/c the respirator fits properly to your face, and the blue mask doesn't,.... BUT MOST OF ALL ..... WASH YOUR HANDS!
Full Name 5 years ago
Agreed. Those surgical masks will not stop you from getting it. Also, people forget about the eyes. Your eyes are really vulnerable to viruses.
Load More Replies... Serene Yap 5 years ago
i think such infographics or comics are very misleading too. Designers are creating these really cute graphics base on your own judgement and designers are not medical expert, nor is the designer being engaged by a medical institution to disseminate such information. While I understand why healthy people shouldn't wear mask, we should also consider that different countries have different approach and rationale. Or even, others may wear mask for other medication reasons and reasons for such. So please do not stigmatise people who do. If someone wishes to wear mask, it's their choice and freedom to do so. So please stop sharing such infographics.
Kim Bush 5 years ago
Sigh.... People are still thinking that any kind of mask will protect them from the coronavirus. This simply isn't true. Only by thoroughly washing your hands and limiting your contact with groups of people can you actually protect yourself. So stop stealing masks from hospitals and Dr's offices. You're not protecting yourself and you're only making it harder for the professionals to do their jobs.
Dennis Lo 5 years ago
While I do not disagree with the conclusions that those displaying symptoms should wear a mask to protect others and that improper removal of PPE can also increase risks of the wearer, there are scientific evidence showing that wearing a surgical mask does provide some level of protection against respiratory infections. Case in point, Uchida et al (2016) suggested that "wearing of masks were effective in infection control." https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301553?via%3Dihub Systematic review conducted by Barasheed et al (2016) suggests that "Facemask use seems to be beneficial against certain respiratory infections at MGs (mass gatherings)". https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(16)31010-4/fulltext
Load More Replies... John Smith 5 years ago
If you're "healthy" wear a damn mask if you want to wear a mask. That is all.
Monster munch 5 years ago
Wearing a mask when you don't need to/don't know how to is counterproductive. To be effective the mask needs to be sealed. An untrained mask user is likely to need to be adjusting the mask which will involve touching the face which helps infections spread. Masks can create a false sense of security. Let's not create a mask shortage when there are people who need them.
Load More Replies... Felix Feline 5 years ago
Person in the supermarket this morning carrying a sodden handkerchief and sneezing without covering up as she moved along the produce aisles. What's wrong with some people?!!?
Rodolfo Aguinaldo 5 years ago
well meaning but misinformed. people who think themselves healthy are often the reason covid19 is spreading. it becomes infectious before you show symptoms. how people can't seem to register it inside their brains is beyond me.
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