Dear Natalie

Dear Dr. Smith,

My name is Natalie and my dad used to work for you. I am in first grade. We were working on science in our class. We watch this show called Mystery Science. One of the episodes was talking about how masks work to protect against covid. I have a few questions because I do not like wearing my mask all day because it is sweaty.

How does covid spread?

If you pull your mask underneath your nose would you be more likely to get covid?

Could I get sick from the sweat on my mask?

I know my dad is a scientist but I wanted to ask a doctor. Thank you for your help.

Thank you,

Natalie

Dear Natalie,

Thanks for your questions.

How does covid spread?

So, when a person has Covid and they cough or sneeze, they produce small droplets with virus in them. If another person then gets one of those droplets on their hands and touches their eyes, nose or mouth, then they get infected. If you’re close to the person, when they cough or sneeze, then the droplets can land on your eyes, nose or mouth.

Covid is not really spread by breathing it in.

If you pull your mask underneath your nose would you be more likely to get covid?

The masks don’t actually protect YOU from Covid. When an infected person wears a mask, then the mask may catch some of those droplets. And, then, maybe, the chances of that infected person spreading Covid to someone is else is lower. This has not been proven, however.

The masks most of us wear, the “surgical masks”, are not designed or made filter the air we breathe in. Maybe they catch an infected person’s droplets (but I doubt it).

So, if you're not sick, you wearing a mask helps no one.

Could I get sick from the sweat on my mask?

You won’t get sick from the sweat on your mask. But you should use a new or clean mask every day. Some people, like me, have gotten bad headaches from using the masks. Others have developed a rash on their face. And many people get very anxious.

Good news is on the way. The vaccines work very well. Much better than I expected. There is no need for people, who are vaccinated, to wear masks. So, soon and hopefully forever, you, your parents and everyone else will be maskless…except on Halloween.

Doc Smith