COVID-19: Reports of people collapsing with face masks on raise concern over its use

vel coronavirus outbreak has led to a dramatic surge in demand for face masks and people can be seen wearing one at public places to avoid risk of infection. However, several reports of people collapsing while wearing a face mask have raised concern over its use for long periods.

Recently, a Chinese man’s left lung collapsed after he jogged for about 2.5 miles while wearing a face mask. Doctors reportedly said that high pressure on his lung due to intense breathing while wearing a face mask punctured organ and h it shrunk by 90 per cent. 

Separately, two 14-year-old boys in Central China suddenly collapsed as y were running on ir schools’ running track wearing face masks while taking part in compulsory physical education examination. Both of m were later declared de in Dancheng County in Henan Province and city of Changsha in Hunan Province.

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Side-effects of mask

In a rapid response to an article published in a medical journal, an epidemiologist highlighted potential side effects of wearing face masks. Dr Antonio Lazzari wrote to BMJ that most scientific articles and guidelines highlight two potential side effects of wearing surgical face masks in public, but re are or ones that are worth considering before implementing global public health policy.

Lazzari said that wearing a face mask makes exhaled air get into contact with eyes which creates discomfort and generates an impulse to touch eyes which can le to infection. quality and volume of speech gets hampered due to face mask which makes people unconsciously come closer, thus defeating physical distancing measure.

Doctors have warned that wearing face masks for a longer period could le to a reduction of oxygen in blood and brain. According to media reports, y have vised against wearing face masks if physical distancing measures are strictly followed and reduce its use by isolating yourself most of times.

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(Im credit: AP)