Unlike countries such as Japan and China, where the use of face masks has long been common, covering the face with a cloth is becoming a new practice in Pakistan and other countries to limit the spread of the corona virus.
When it comes to covering the mouth and nose, most people think that a face mask can cause the body to lack oxygen or to inhale only the breath that comes out of the mouth.
But that doesn’t happen and there are scientific reasons behind it.
Loose-fitting surgical masks and cloth masks are porous, air passes through them easily, but tiny particles from the respiratory system are difficult to pass through.
That is why face masks are considered effective in preventing the germs that can spread the disease, which may otherwise be present in the air.
Wearing a mask may make you feel that the air flow has decreased, which is reducing oxygen in the arteries or oxygen in the body tissues.
However, face masks have no effect on air circulation, but the wearer has a psychological feeling that breathing is becoming difficult or less air is entering the body while oxygen levels are not affected.
Another concern is high levels of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which can lead to drowsiness, headaches and, in severe cases, fainting.
It is thought that those who wear face masks inhale the exhaled breath, but so far there is no evidence to support this view.
Healthy people can withdraw some amount of carbon dioxide, but it is not a danger to them, as the respiratory and metabolic systems easily expel this amount.
Wearing a face mask for too long can cause headaches, but nothing more.
According to Dr. Robert Glater of the Emergency Room at Linux Hospital in New York, the use of face masks for healthy people does not increase the risk, carbon dioxide compounds are easily removed from the masks and breathing is normal.
However, if a person has lung disease or difficulty breathing, they should consult a doctor before covering their face.
For healthy people, using face masks for a limited time does not pose any risk, but it does help prevent other diseases, including the corona virus and the flu.