Masks have become a new part of everyday life like last year. And with anything that is new, there is bound to be some confusion. For instance, many people may be unsure of when masks are completely necessary and which situations you can forgo a mask in–which can lead to many mistakes.
In fact, Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the U.S., says that many people are still making this mask mistake: taking their mask off to talk to someone who can’t hear or understand them.
After all, there’s research that shows talking can easily spread the coronavirus. Speaking in a loud voice could introduce thousands of fluid droplets containing viral material into the air every second, droplets that could still be detected in the air for up to 14 minutes in an environment with stagnant air.
There were other scenarios where Fauci said a mask was necessary, even if people don’t think so. Some of the examples he gave were wearing a mask between courses when dining out and when in an empty elevator, as people can quickly come in.
However, there may be some instances when you may not have to wear a mask, according to Fauci. For instance, if you’re riding your bike out on the street, he says you don’t have to wear a mask if you’re not near other people. He did note that you should have your mask on you “in case you come into close contact with people on the outside.”
If you’re indoors, however, Fauci said you should keep your mask on, no matter how socially distanced you are from other people—even if someone you’re talking to asks you to speak up. And for more guidance from Dr. Fauci says, you shouldn’t go outside without a mask until a year after a vaccine. ♦
