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Twitter schools Murtaza Wahab on surgical masks versus cloth masks

Twitter schools Murtaza Wahab on surgical masks versus cloth masks

The adviser to the Sindh chief minister claimed all masks are equally effective in the fight. Experts say this isn't true.
Updated 11 May, 2021

Advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister Murtaza Wahab has come under fire on social media for suggesting cloth masks are as effective as surgical masks, if not more. People were quick to remind him that medical health professionals have advised otherwise.

Wahab uploaded a picture to his Twitter of himself wearing a cloth mask. With the picture, he uploaded a caption that urged people to use cloth masks, which he called comfortable, trendy and washable.

"Save your money, save the environment and save lives," he advised.

Sure, reusable cloth masks would be better for the environment than disposable surgical masks, which will almost certainly not be disposed properly, as with most of our waste, and find itself in wastelands and sewers but in this case, the safety surgical masks provide trumps the bad points.

Cloth and sponge masks are not the most effective in preventing the spread of Covid-19 virus because there are several requirements for a cloth mask to meet before it's as safe as a surgical mask.

Dr Faheem Younus, a Pakistani-American doctor who's been at the frontline in the US leading the charge against Covid-19, has also been very active on Twitter throughout the pandemic, giving people his expert medical advice regarding the virus. One user responded to Wahab's statement with a tweet by Dr Younus. "Ditch cloth masks," he said.

A man who claimed to be a doctor also chose to comment, saying that cloth masks are not the most effective, and that Wahab should refrain from recommending them.

"A simple cloth mask with a filter will not help," he said, attaching evidence for his claim in a later tweet.

"Should we really be allowed to wear cloth masks?" wondered this user.

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the national public health agency of the United States, concluded in a study that, "the filtration, effectiveness, fit, and performance of cloth masks are inferior to those of medical masks and respirators.

"Protection provided by cloth masks may be improved by selecting appropriate material, increasing the number of mask layers, and using those with a design that provides filtration and fit. Cloth masks should be washed daily and after high-exposure use by using soap and water or other appropriate methods," it read.

The simple understanding here is that masks require closely knit and tied layers to stop penetration of aerosol particles. Covid-19 travels in the air as these particles and hence a simple single layered mask will not be very effective in stopping it, and will most certainly let it slide past. That's why doctors recommend wearing multiple masks when wearing cloth masks, or making sure that your cloth mask is multi-layered to ensure effective filtration. Hence, the simple solution is to wear surgical masks, and if you want to feel safer, you can always layer up and wear two masks, as experts recommend.

There are acceptable cloth masks, but they should meet certain requirements.

"Check for filtration, breathability and fit when choosing a fabric mask," advises the WHO.

The organisation says that fabric masks should consist of three layers for them to be acceptable and effective. The first layer, the inner most layer, should be made out of an absorbent material, like cotton. The second layer, or the middle layer, should be made out of non-woven non-absorbent material, such as polypropylene. And the third and final, the outer most layer, should be made of non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend.

You can read the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention's extensive guide to masks here.

There are a lot of things to look for when wearing cloth masks, so it's best not to take them lightly. Do a lot of research before buying cloth masks and make sure to wash them often. Wahab is right that they're better for the environment, but don't compromise on your health. Stay safe everyone!

Comments

Sab Se Pehle Pakistan May 11, 2021 01:09pm
He always makes a fool of himself whenever he opens his mouth.
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Khalid Mazhar May 11, 2021 01:21pm
Murtaza Wahab is right, there is a tone of research out there. People should for only few minutes come out of there virtual lives of twitter, facebook etc and read abstracts of research work. Further, doctors who these days advising people are just medical practioners they don't do research. They are only able to give you a Panadol if have pain. During this COVID situation there they are promoting themselves.
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M. Saeed May 11, 2021 01:35pm
Nothing unsupported by science, should be allowed to be relayed to public as an alternative to a prescribed procedure.
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Derek Miller May 11, 2021 01:56pm
Murtuza Wahab is a disgraceful spokesperson for the PPP thug regime - he should resign and stop talking nonsense
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Cye May 11, 2021 03:26pm
Murtaza wahab have you heard these 3 Urdu words “parha likha jahil”.
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Jaredlee007 May 11, 2021 05:18pm
An attention seeker who's good at making a fool of himself. Most politicians, regardless of political affiliation, nowadays, like seeking attention but their brains are empty.
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Al May 11, 2021 06:42pm
US based Pakistani doctors - who take a subsidized education on the dime of Pakistan government and then migrate to the US via USMLE to make 50 times what they paid for that subsidized education - have the nerve to think average Pakistanis can afford to buy surgical grade masks that need to be changed after each use. Really? Come back to planet Earth. Use a cloth mask, double it up or infuse copper lining onto it so you can wash regularly and reuse safely.
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Sami May 11, 2021 10:01pm
So called educated ministers of PPP. He is spokesperson of CM and Bilawal. Well said as Leders as their subordinates!
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Ibrahim May 11, 2021 10:24pm
We are no better than many third world countries in Asia and Africa
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White Noise May 12, 2021 02:19am
How did he get the job? oh wait, Pakistan, yes it makes sense now.
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Dr. Ahmed May 12, 2021 07:16am
@Al absolutely, I am there with you. There was a study few months back which said cloth mask at least prevent to a certain degree but surgical masks are way better and K95/N95 is the gold standard. I did my high school/A levels from Pak and medical education from US. Ask me why I get jealous of Pakistani expats doctors who paid literally nothing for their medical education :(
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