Reports of people ‘collapsing’ with face masks: Here is why you should avoid working out with masks

The novel coronavirus outbreak has led to a dramatic surge in the demand for face masks and remember your face mask is not just protecting you, it is doing double duty of protecting others around. It is keeping you away from spreading your germs and can stop other germs from getting into you.

However, several reports of people collapsing while wearing a face mask have raised concern. Wearing it for long time may have a bearing on your health as it affects your lungs due to concentration of Carbox dioxide (Co2).

While it is being promoted to practise social distancing and maintaining good hygiene, wearing a face mask has been made compulsory in almost every public place. Even if facemask causes you discomfort or leads to difficulty in breathing, you know you cannot take it off. But what if it lands you in a hospital.

Many such cases have been reported in recent past, where people either fainted or collapsed mid-way to home and most of these happened during exercise. Doctors, too, are of the opinion that one such take off his/her mask during a physical workout, gym or any other intense physical activity.

DANGERS OF FACEMASK

Mask is supposed to be used for a limited time. If you wear it for a long time:

1. Oxygen in the blood reduces.
2. Oxygen to the brain reduces
3. You start feeling weak
4. May lead to death

ADVICE

1. Pull it off when you are alone. I see a lot of people in their car with AC on still wearing face MASK. Ignorance or illiteracy?
2. Do not use it at home.
3. Only use it in a crowded place and when in close contact with one or more persons.
4. Reduce the use of it while isolating yourself most of the times.

‘Face masks can turn fatal’… this is how

Never wear face mask during workout

Never workout wearing a face mask, even if you are doing for your own safety. When you are exercising outdoors, you don’t need to wear a mask if you are following social distancing norms. That means when you are running or jogging in the park, make sure you are six feet away from others. COVID-19 is a viral infection that spreads through tiny respiratory droplets present in the air. If you maintain appropriate distance, the risk of getting infected will be less.