Image via Adobe Stock
Google kicked off the Wear A Mask, Save Lives doodle on Tuesday to “reinforce the message that wearing masks can save lives, in the midst of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the globe’.
Image via Adobe Stock
Google announced that it will be running a COVID-19 mask Doodle on 4 and 5 August 2020. Here’s what you need to know.
Google kicked off the Wear A Mask, Save Lives doodle on Tuesday to “reinforce the message that wearing masks can save lives, in the midst of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the globe’.
As of 16:00 South African Standard Time (SAST), the Google Doodle is live in 60 countries around the world, including South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. Clicking on the doodle will direct you to a COVID prevention Search Results page.
The Google Doodle page for Wear A Mask, Save Lives, also contain useful COVID-19 related tips we should all know by the name. The basics: Wear a mask, clean your hands, keep a safe distance.
The ‘When and how to use masks’ page has several useful videos, as well as section for ‘Mythbusters‘ and ‘advocacy’. All materials on the site are regularly updated based on new scientific findings as the epidemic evolves.
The Technical Guidelines section includes a paper titled Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19, as well as the Rational use of personal protective equipment for COVID-19 and considerations during severe shortages.
The page also points out that masks can help prevent the spread of the virus from the person wearing the mask to another. However, it’s important to note that masks alone do not protect against COVID-19.
Masks should be combined with physical distancing and hand hygiene. Follow the advice provided by your local health authority.
One of the topics under Mythbusters addressed the hydroxychloroquine debate, which points out that it’s a treatment for malaria, lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Current data shows that this drug does not reduce deaths among hospitalised COVID-19 patients, nor help people with mild or moderate disease. The use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine is accepted as generally safe for patients with malaria and autoimmune diseases, but its use was not indicated and without medical supervision can cause serious side effects and should be avoided.
Another factoid shared on under this success points out that the “likelihood of shoes spreading COVID-19 is very low”.
As a precautionary measure, particularly in homes where infants and small children crawl or play on floors, consider leaving your shoes at the entrance of your home. This will help prevent contact with dirt or any waste that could be carried on the soles of shoes.
Protect yourself and others around you by knowing the facts and taking appropriate precautions. Follow the advice provided by your local health authority. To prevent the spread of COVID-19: