Doctor Proves Masks Don't Reduce Oxygen By Wearing Six At Once On Oxygen Machine

A doctor has proved that wearing a face mask doesn't lowers oxygen levels. In fact, he's shown that even wearing several has no effect:

Dr Maitiu O Tuathail, who is based in Dublin, Ireland, filmed himself putting six masks on his face while recording his blood oxygen saturation levels. In the clip, as he puts on mask after mask, the meter shows a steady - and indeed healthy - 98-99 percent.

Dr O Tuathail shared the video on Twitter to debunk the misconception that face masks negatively affect oxygen levels. He said he was being asked this regularly by patients, who were citing misinformation they had found on social media.

Alongside the video, he wrote: "Getting asked, 'Does wearing a face mask lower your oxygen levels' repeatedly by patients today! Based on what they are reading on social media *Face coverings / masks don't reduce your oxygen levels!*

"I managed to get six face masks on + it had no effect on my oxygen levels!"

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In response to Dr O Tuathail, one person wrote: "Wearing any face covering it's not the most comfortable thing to do, but it will protect us and other people around us especially for those who aren't wearing anything-medical cause or those without any manners when they cough [sic]!"

Another added: "Thank you! No matter how crazy or nonsensical questions might seem please keep answering as it will promote their use and alleviate doubt."

A third wrote: "Can't speak for others, but I've found that the more accustomed I've become to wearing a mask the less it bothers me. Still don't like it (who does?) but, while I first felt I couldn't breathe & got stressed by it, I've learned to control my breathing automatically and am now ok."

Reassuringly, after the government decided that face coverings would be compulsory in shops from 24 July, 75 percent of people who answered a LADbible survey said it was the right decision - as is the £100 fine that comes with not complying.

LADbible then asked whether people would be complying with the rules when 24 July arrives. From 14,700 votes, 87.3 percent of people said they would follow the guidelines.

Taking to Twitter, one person said: "This should have been compulsory a lot earlier if you ask me. This pandemic would have ended a lot earlier if it wasn't for the 'oh these guidelines will take place 2 weeks from today' approach the government has had."

Another added: "If it stops us from going back into the lockdown we have just come out of after months, then of course I will. I already do anyway when in large built up places."

Topics: Ireland, News, Coronavirus

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

@RJShepherd94