Ways of eating idlis

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 During my trip down South, I had the opportunity to watch common people enjoy traditional southern foods. Idlis are one such popular food items that can be consumed anytime of the day. They can be had during breakfast, lunch, or dinner or anytime in between.  Idlis are traditionally South Indian delicacies. They are rice and lentil cakes that are steamed. They are usually salty but in Mauritius, you will find sweet varities as well in small shops and restaurants there.  Idlis are healthy food items and are a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. They have minerals and vitamins and have the goodness of fermented foods too. They are served with sambhar (curry made of dal) and chutney (coconut, tomato or the like). Some also savour them with yoghurt, ghee (clarified butter) or spice mix (podi).  Idli pizza A modern twist to idli dish has been as idli masala (idlis usually small-sized covered with spices), idli fry (idlis usually small-sized that are...
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Face masks lessen the disease severity in the wearer and is beneficial for herd immunity!

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Until now, it was assumed and studies also showed that wearing face masks helps prevent viral spread to others around you. It protects others and benefits them. And now scientists are speculating that it also minorly helps the wearer. It lessens the dose of the virus reaching the wearer and hence the sickness could be less severe in them. 

Face masks and prevention of the viral spread

Face masks are mandatory in public places because studies revealed that once face masks are on, it prevents the spread of the virus from the wearer to others. Hence others around are protected. Its role in benefiting the wearer was doubtful. 

Face masks [Source: Healthline]

But now scientists are speculating that the viral load reaching the wearer from an infected person or an asymptomatic viral carrier could be less. This would translate into a less serious illness in the wearer. This implies that the face masks would lessen viral spread. But it could also give lesser doses of COVID-19 and hence give rise to herd immunity. It would not affect the wearer badly and also have less potential to lead to death! 

Mechanism of face masks in the prevention of transmission of the COVID-19 virus

When an infected person or an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 talks, coughs, sneezes, or breathes, virus-containing droplets are released into the environment. When these reach the other person's nose, mouth, or eyes, it initiates the infection and causes illness in that second person. The mask becomes a physical barrier to catch the virus. Robert F Garry Jr from the department of Microbiology and Immunology at Tulane University School of Medicine states that the face mask can block 40-60% of the droplets. N95 masks can block 95% of the viruses. 

Face masks mechanism of protection [Source: Medium]

The University of California scientists state that the amount of an inoculum decides the fastness and severity of the infection. When the lesser viral load reaches the person, lesser is the infection. A recent hamster study with masks also showed that hamsters with the mask either did not get COVID-19 or got a mild form of it. 

Other supporting data

Epidemiological data from cruise ships and food processing plants with mandatory face masking had more cases of asymptomatic infections. Another published article also stated that with universal face masks, health care providers had antibody tests in blood positive with no symptoms. Also, countries who had public face masking on a larger scale did well as regards severe cases and deaths due to COVID-19. 

Food processing plants [Source: Refrigerated and Frozen Foods]

Hence universal masking will help especially when schools and colleges are reopening amidst the pandemic. The scientists state: 

“Exposing society to SARS-CoV-2 [the virus that causes COVID-19] without the unacceptable consequences of severe illness with public masking could lead to greater community-level immunity and slower spread as we await a vaccine,”

Hence, continue to wear face masks until alternative and better steps to control the pandemic come in. 

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