![\\"logo\\"](\\"/img/logo-dpa-factchecking.svg\\"/) *About ![\\"IFCN](\\"/img/ifcn-certificate.png\\"/) ![\\"EFCSN](\\"/img/efcsn- certificate.png\\"/) # Face masks do help against corona and do not make you sick 5.8.2020, 16:38 (CEST) Why don't you want to wear a face mask in the fight against Corona? That's it subject of a shared Facebook post. According to the message it would wear a mouth mask does not help against COVID-19, because the holes in the fabric are too be great to stop the virus. Furthermore, wearing a face masks are downright harmful because you get less oxygen. That makes makes you more susceptible to diseases. In addition, you also breathe your own bacteria that make you sick. REVIEW: The claims are largely false. You don't infect yourself breathing in your own bacteria. For a healthy person wearing it has to be done a face mask does not affect the amount of oxygen he or she receives ingests. Although it is indeed true that face masks are not perfect protection, they still have their use. FACTS: It is indeed true that face masks do not guarantee protection offer, but it is still important to wear one. \"It's a virus microscopic and can in principle pass through the holes of a mask flies," says Steven Van Gucht, virologist and head of the viral service diseases at Sciensano. "But what you're spitting out isn't really a virus, but droplets that may contain virus.\" Yet Van Gucht emphasizes that it is important to prevent those drops keep. \"With a mouth mask you can remove 80 to 90 percent of those droplets to prevent. That is a gain and means that a number of fewer people will be infected will be. Every barrier is important.\" One face mask is the same as another Not, says Loes Hartman, communications officer at RIVM. \"The quality of the materials used influence the fit and appearance of the mask filters. Together with wearing comfort, these things all play a role degree of protection.\" It is not true that wearing a face mask gives you less oxygen ingests. According to Van Gucht, the mask has no effect on this. \"For As a healthy person there is no risk to your health. It can give us one give a tight feeling, which makes us breathe faster and more superficially, but that is mental and not physical.\" So you get enough oxygen, in contrary to what the post claims. "It's also a strange argument. What about people in healthcare?\" Hartman adds. \"Then they wouldn't either being able to breathe while doing so just fine.\" You shouldn't fear your own bacteria either. This has also been shown before, including by dpa. "No matter what, you're always breathing in your own bacteria, with or without a face mask," says Van Gucht. "They are in your mouth and usually they are also good bacteria. So it absolutely doesn't matter and you will be yourself certainly do not contaminate them with your own bacteria.\" However, you should always keep your hands clean must be washed cleanly before you touch a face mask and you should wear it every day replace. "You want to avoid getting your hands on a 'dirty' face mask is, and then spread bacteria or viruses within you through your hands environment," Hartman concludes. So you are not in danger of infecting yourself with your own bacteria, contrary to what the post says. \---Left: Facebook post I: (archived: Facebook post II: (archived: Fact check dpa: About Steven Van Gucht: (archived: Sciensano: (archived: RIVM manual on the use of face masks in public spaces: spaces (archived: \--- Contact the dpa fact check team: factcheck-netherlands@dpa.com powered by dpa-newslab | Imprint | Privacy | About:
Why Do not you want to wear a face mask in the fight against Corona That is the subject of a shared Facebook post According to the report wearing a face mask would not help against COVID19 because the holes in the fabric are too large to stop the virus Furthermore wearing a mouth mask would be downright harmful because you get less oxygen That in turn makes you more susceptible to diseases You also breathe in your own bacteria which makes you sick