All around Marion County and Columbia it seems to be a split decision on whether to wear a face mask or not. There has been so much conflicting information about it that it is hard to know what is right and wrong.
The Marion County Emergency Management and the Marion County Fire Service are working with MEMA to distribute masks to every citizen in Marion County. The schedule for distribution includes as follows:
Today and Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at:
- Columbia Fire Department, Station 2 at Pearl Street, Columbia;
- Foxworth VFD Station 1, 2252 Mississippi Hwy. 586, Foxworth;
- South Marion VFD Station 1, 13 South Marion Loop, Columbia;
- Southwest Marion VFD Station 1, 478 New Hope Church Road, Foxworth;
- Southwest Marion VFD Station 4, 81 Hart Road, Sandy Hook;
- Tri-Community VFD Station 1, 20 Williamsburg Road, Columbia;
- Tri-Community VFD Station 4, 3100 Mississippi 44, Columbia.
Columbia Fire Capt. Reggie Crowther was at Station 2 while masks were being distributed on Tuesday. He said by wearing the masks it keeps down the spread of disease. Even though it has been more than two months since the coronavirus was first detected in Mississippi, Crowther said wearing the masks now will still aid in the battle.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not begin to recommend the use of wearing a face mask when out in public until April 3. A simple cloth mask is sufficient for just normal wear in public, according to the CDC now.
Dr. Bert Beisel, a local doctor, said he recommends wearing a mask in closed buildings.
“It seems to be a fairly easy and innocuous intervention to limit transmission of SARS-Cov-2 in our community,” he said.
While the CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health recommend it, in Mississippi mask wearing has not been mandated by Gov. Tate Reeves. Reeves has allowed for local governments to make the determination. In Columbia, it is by choice and what you are comfortable with, but in larger cities such as Hattiesburg it is required.
The Mayo Clinic recommends wearing face masks; however, to be most effective, the clinic said face masks must be used in conjunction with proper handwashing and social distancing guidelines.
Not everyone is for wearing facemasks, though. The Interim Guidance dated April 6 from the World Health Organization said, “The wide use of masks is not supported by current evidence and carries uncertainties and critical risks.”
Dr. Adrian DiVittorio with the Infirmary Health Diagnostic and Medical Clinic in Mobile, Ala., said he recommends wearing facemasks but being in the Deep South people need to be careful not to overheat in them, especially when outdoors. If a person feels hot or dizzy, to remove the mask, sit down and drink fluids to cool off, according to his interview with WCOA-AM in Pensacola.
Another concern has been the possibility of the build-up of carbon dioxide from long-term exposure. The CDC admits it is a minor risk, but in normal wear the carbon dioxide will not build up enough to cause a problem. n
