Omicron is spreading fast; Are you ‘masking up’, aren’t you? what to do here

Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations, medical analyst Dr. Lena Wen, professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, told CNN, “There is no place for them in light of Omicron. . ,

What is the right way to wear a mask?

We need to wear at least a three-ply surgical mask, Dr. Wen said.

“You can wear a cloth mask over it, but don’t just wear a cloth mask.”

Adding to this, Erin Bromage, an associate professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, said that cloth masks can filter out larger droplets.

India has so far recorded over 430 cases of omicrons, which have 37 mutations – more than any other type of coronavirus. Because of so many mutations, it is believed to be more resistant to existing vaccines.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said yesterday that the WHO said on December 7 that Omicron has a significant growth advantage over the delta, which means it has greater transmission potential.

The cases of omicrons double within 1.5-3 days, so we have to be vigilant with proper handling of COVID, he added.

Meanwhile, the Center on December 21 advised states to impose restrictions such as night curfew, control large gatherings. Increase in bed capacity and other logistics and strict enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviour.

(with inputs from agencies)