Misleading face mask graphic shared in incorrect virus posts
- This article is more than one year old.
- Published on April 28, 2021 at 06:10
- 2 min read
- By AFP South Korea, SHIM Kyu-Seok
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The graphic was shared here on Facebook on September 3, 2020.
It purports to compare the size of the virus that causes Covid-19 with larger dust and aerosol particles.
It suggests the virus particles are small enough to pass through the fibres of KF94 masks.
KF94 masks are a type of face covering that provide more robust protection from fine particles compared to ordinary surgical masks, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
The post’s Korean-language caption translates to English as: “The size of the virus. How can we block a virus that is much, much smaller than fine dust particles? Don’t you think the government and experts know this? Thus Covid-19 mask rules are a scam".
An identical graphic was also shared here and here on Facebook; here on Twitter; and here on Naver Band, a popular social media application in South Korea.
The graphic also appeared in this YouTube video, which has been viewed more than 11,000 times. It makes a similar claim about masks.
The claim, however, is misleading.
Health experts say the virus is always bound to larger particles when it travels through the air.
These larger particles -- created by sneezing or coughing -- are large enough to be filtered by face masks, according to Jung Jae-hun, a professor of preventive medicine at the Gachon University College of Medicine and Science.
"Microscopic particles can be captured by an electrostatic filter in the mask", Jung told AFP in a phone interview on April 24, 2021. “If you are able to block droplets, you can stop the viruses [contained within them]".
To protect against Covid-19 infection, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends the use of KF80 masks and above -- including KF94 masks -- in indoor areas or when people are in close contact with others.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says wearing face masks helps prevent the spread of Covid-19.
In the video advisory above, the WHO states: "Closed, crowded settings with poor ventilation can increase the risk of spreading Covid-19.
"When you’re indoors and you don’t know how the room is ventilated, wear a mask regardless of the distance from others."
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