Will wearing a mask for a long time cause respiratory system degeneration? Chinese CDC expert: Don’t worry

People's Daily, Beijing, May 20 (Reporter Sun Hongli) The State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism held a press conference today to introduce the relevant situation of epidemic prevention and control and vaccination.

In the current epidemic situation where imported cases from abroad continue to occur and domestic cases in my country reappear, how should people enhance their awareness of protection and protect themselves?

Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the meeting: "From the perspective of COVID-19 prevention and control, every citizen must look at the world. Regardless of whether there are cases in China or how long the epidemic has been spreading, as long as the epidemic abroad is not under control, it is possible for the epidemic to occur anywhere in China. Therefore, normalized prevention and control measures must be implemented in place. Masks must be prepared when going out as a 'standard configuration' and worn in places where people gather."

In addition, some people are worried that wearing masks for a long time, especially for children, will cause the respiratory system to degenerate, and when the day comes that the mask can be taken off, the nose will become sensitive.

In this regard, Wu Zunyou said: "Vaccines are biological means to prevent COVID-19, and wearing masks and maintaining social distance are public health means to prevent COVID-19. These two means are compatible and can be taken at the same time. In the case that herd immunity has not been achieved in the population, even if we have been vaccinated, we still need to insist on wearing masks. Those who have not been vaccinated, of course, must wear masks. Wearing masks has only benefits, not harm, for individuals, families, and society."

"The function of a mask is to exclude particles in the air and pathogens adsorbed on the particles from the air we inhale. Wearing a mask can not only prevent disease, but also reduce the burden on the respiratory tract. As long as the air is good, children and adults should not make their respiratory tracts more sensitive or uncomfortable due to insisting on wearing masks. So, everyone doesn't have to worry." Wu Zunyou said.

The Dragon Boat Festival holiday is approaching. Will this round of epidemic affect everyone's travel? What issues should we pay attention to when traveling?

Wu Zunyou said: "In the outbreaks in Anhui and Liaoning, the infected people were infected in photo studios and photography training classes. In this environment, people gathered, ventilation was poor, and no protective measures were taken. This epidemic once again reminds us that personal protection must not be relaxed. Normal prevention and control measures must be adhered to in daily travel. When traveling on holidays, there are more opportunities for people to gather, so personal protection must be strengthened."