Covid-19 UAE: Masks are your best protection against the virus

Dubai - Wearing masks limit one’s exposure to coronavirus, doctors say.

Doctors in the UAE are suggesting multiple reasons to continue wearing the mask as the vaccination drive gains momentum in the country.

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Wearing the mask is key to the Covid-19 control target and will need to continue in the foreseeable future.

The vaccine doesn’t guarantee complete immunity – as the currently available vaccines have been found to provide up to 86 per cent to 95 per cent immunity against Covid-19.

“There is a small chance you still could get infected so you need to protect yourself as the number of Covid-19 cases are on the rise”, says, Dr Disha Vengsarkar, Pathologist – Al Qasimia, Prime medical Centre.

“You might infect others with Covid-19 if you contract the virus. You can transmit it to the community. Many do not experience any symptoms but are still capable of transmitting the virus,” she adds.

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Medics reiterate the total time duration from the time one gets vaccinated to the time one achieves immunity is around seven weeks. Therefore, people need to stay protected throughout this period.

“Wearing a mask can limit one’s exposure to the virus, which can greatly lower the chances of becoming ill, even if one’s vaccinated”, adds Dr Vengsarkar.

Dr Arshia Banu Najeem, General Physician, Aster Clinic – Aswaaq Mall says, “Global health leaders are extremely concerned about new genetic variants of the coronavirus, which appear to be at least 50 per cent more contagious than the original. Hence public health measures — such as avoiding crowds, physical distancing and masks — reduce the risk of contracting all strains of the coronavirus, as well as other respiratory diseases.”