Doctor measures oxygen levels to show wearing a mask doesn't affect breathing

With masks already compulsory on public transport and set to become compulsory in shops from next week, some people have expressed concerns that wearing a mask makes it hard to breathe.

However, an NHS doctor has demonstrated that masks do not affect breathing with a clever oxygen test that he shared on a video online.

In the video shared on Twitter, Dr Joshua Wolrich, from London, monitors his oxygen saturation levels with medical equipment before and after wearing a mask – and the numbers don’t change.

He goes on to ask people to ‘stop being selfish’ about wearing a mask. He says, very clearly, ‘masks do not have the ability to reduce your oxygen – that is medically false.’

Joshua, who says he works as a surgeon, starts the video by explaining the equipment he is using to test his oxygen levels.

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‘A public service announcement, if I can, about mask-wearing and oxygen saturation,’ he says.

‘This, on my finger, records the oxygen saturation of my blood and my heart rate. This top number is the oxygen saturation. Anything between 94 and 100 is completely normal. 

‘I have no respiratory condition, so for me, it sits around 99. The bottom number is my heart rate. Anything above 100 is too fast, and mine is fast because I’m pissed off that I’m having to make this video. 

‘Now, I’m going to put my mask on, something that I do routinely seeing as I work as a surgeon and I’m going to show you that this oxygen saturation number doesn’t change.’

He adds, ‘stop turning this into a political issue.

‘Masks help protect you and protect others. If you’re told to wear them, do so.’

With the video, Joshua also posted a caption that reads: ‘Masks categorically do not reduce oxygen saturation. This is a lie made up as an excuse by those who believe the pandemic is a hoax and that wearing a mask somehow encroaches on their rights.

‘This is not an issue of freedom.’ 

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