Mask, an object that evolved from an enforced necessity during COVID 19 to an accessory had been shielding us against pollution, dust, smoke, fumes, and virus over the last two years. After the relaxation of Covid norms, the residents of Kolkata saw a rise of 15% in their COPD and asthma cases. Also, vehicular traffic has turned normal which further affects the case numbers. Pollution levels have turned high again (PM2.5 -150) which was recorded as less than 100 in many places during restrictions.

According to Dr. Soumya Sengupta, Pulmonologist, Charnock Hospital, these numbers are still rising every day. She stated that the number of affected cases had dropped to less than 10% over the last two years since everyone used a mask. Also, staying indoors along with the use of a mask showed a marked improvement in the patients suffering from breathing conditions. Statistically, before the pandemic, around 20% - 22% of patients had a relapse of asthma and COPD during the onset of summer. She added apart from Viruses, pollen, and pollution, changes in temperature were the major factors behind breathing distress

A pulmonologist, Dr. Dhar, CMRI Hospital, and Rahul Jain, internal medicine consultant, Belle Vue Clinic, advised people with a history of breathing illnesses should continue wearing the mask. Jain also mentioned that COPD patients will feel the difference once they remove the mask.

Source: ET Healthworld