The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)has explained why wearing a face mask alone will not protect you from the rampaging COVID-19 virus.
Many states are enforcing the use of face mask in public, though the NCDC has advised that it is used as an optional additional layer of protection.
According to NCDC, wearing of face masks alone will not protect against getting COVID-19, especially if not worn properly, but it can prevent the spread if someone is coughing and sneezing as their nasal droplets would have less chance of contaminating others.
NCDC advised Nigerians not get a false sense of protection because they are wearing a mask, but should be combined with physical distancing. In addition, when people wear face masks, cloth masks or other cloth covering for their face, the face masks should be carefully removed and if disposable, thrown away in a dustbin carefully or washed daily if made of cloth.
The advisory from the NCDC mentions the use of face masks in crowded areas where physical distancing may prove difficult.
