Contrary to viral claims, wearing surgical masks or cloth face coverings does not restrict the amount of oxygen a person breathes in, nor does it cause a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide, according to a study published Friday in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society. The study, though small, should help to further ease fears that masks are somehow physically harmful when, indeed, experts say mask use is by far one of the most effective ways to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In fact, experts say, people with underlying breathing problems like COPD may be best served by wearing masks. The study included basic surgical masks that are now widely available.
Debunked: Face Coverings Don’t Hurt Lung Function or Cause CO2 Buildup
