---
title: Mask Wearing May Reduce Illness Severity, and Save Thousands of Lives
description: Wearing a mask may reduce the amount of virus that gets through to the wearer.
image: https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-24%20at%201.37.29%20PM.png
---

[PATIENT PORTAL](https://totalaccess.healthyhumans.com)

[PAY ONLINE](https://www.totalaccessmedical.com/pay-online/)

[![Total Access Medical LLC Logo](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2447450201-png/images/tam-logo.png?width=270&name=tam-logo.png "Total Access Medical LLC Logo")](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/)

≡

- [How We Fit Into Your Life](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/) 
    - [What Is Concierge Medicine?](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medicine/)
    - [Member Stories](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medical-care-testimonials/)
    - [Doctor Stories](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/boutique-medicine/)
- [About](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/about-concierge-health-services/) 
    - [Founder's Story](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/about-concierge-health-services/concierge-practices-story/)
- [Doctors](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/doctors)
- [Specialties](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/) 
    - [Family Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/main-line-family-medicine/)
    - [Internal Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/internal-medicine-philadelphia/)
    - [Holistic Medicine Integrative Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/holistic-medicine-philadelphia/)
    - [Geriatric Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/geriatric-doctors/)
- [Getting Started](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/getting-started-concierge-care/) 
    - [How TAM Works with Insurance](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medicine-and-insurance/)
    - [HSA & FSA](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/explained-fsa-and-hsa-for-concierge-medicine)
    - [FAQ](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/getting-started-concierge-care/faq/)
- [Plans & Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/) 
    - [Individual Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/use-personal-wellness-program-take-care/)
    - [Family Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/concierge-family-medicine-programs/)
    - [Corporate Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/corporate-health-programs/)
    - [Senior Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/boutique-medicine-seniors/)
- [Blog](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog) 
    - [Living Well](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog)
    - [TRANSITIONING TO DPC](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/en/blog-transition)
- Shop

<http://totalaccessmedical.com> [About](http://totalaccessmedical.com/about/) [Blog](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/)

# Total Access Medical - Direct Primary Care Blog

# Mask Wearing May Reduce Illness Severity, and Save Thousands of Lives

Posted by [Total Access Medical](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/author/total-access-medical) on Dec 01, 2020

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![Screen Shot 2020-11-24 at 1.37.29 PM](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-24%20at%201.37.29%20PM.png?width=1474&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-24%20at%201.37.29%20PM.png)It has been thought that mask wearing mainly benefits the people around you. However, scientists are beginning to speculate that masks may also help the wearer.

Mask wearing may be one reason we have seen so many cases of mild and asymptomatic illness. 

It goes back to the idea that the size of the inoculum (the dose of the virus) determines how sick an individual will get. Usually, with viruses, the higher the dose, the sooner symptoms develop and the more severe the illness is.

If a lesser quantity of respiratory droplets make it through to the mask wearer, this means they receive a lower dose of the virus. A lower dose means that, even if the person becomes ill, it may not be as severe a case. 

The bottom line is that not only does mask wearing protect those around us, it may also protect us. A lower viral dose is known to be linked to less severe illness. Masks may reduce the dose, leading to milder, or no symptoms, if we do contract COVID-19.

Moreover, universal mask wearing can slow transmission and may possibly reduce the severity of illness, easing the burden on society.

Experts say if 95% of people wore a face mask, it could save nearly 130,000 lives in the next three months. Even if only 85% wore a mask, nearly 96,000 deaths could be prevented. They add that mask wearing could help businesses stay open as COVID-19 cases are reduced.

---

[![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/383975/00ca31ab-c428-4e7c-b496-e2a751a1e840.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/383975/00ca31ab-c428-4e7c-b496-e2a751a1e840)

- [Transitioning to DPC](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/en/blog-transition)
- [Health](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog)

### Subscribe to Blog

### Posts by Topic

- [Diet (51)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/diet)
- [Healthy Eating (46)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthy-eating)
- [Concierge Medicine (43)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/concierge-medicine)
- [Recent Research (41)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/recent-research)
- [Nutrition (38)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/nutrition)
- [Direct Primary Care (37)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/direct-primary-care)
- [Exercise (32)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/exercise)
- [Health (30)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/health)
- [Weight Loss (27)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/weight-loss)
- [Healthcare Today (26)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthcare-today)
- [Primary Care Today (25)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/primary-care-today)
- [Wellness (25)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/wellness)
- [Staying Healthy (22)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/staying-healthy)
- [Healthy Mind (20)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthy-mind)
- [Cancer (19)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cancer)
- [Personal Wellness Plan (18)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/personal-wellness-plan)
- [Female Health (16)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/female-health)
- [Breast cancer (15)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/breast-cancer)
- [Physician Shortage (15)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/physician-shortage)
- [Aging (14)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/aging)
- [Executive Health (13)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/executive-health)
- [Heart Health (12)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/heart-health)
- [flu (12)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/flu)
- [prevention (12)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/prevention)
- [Diabetes (11)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/diabetes)
- [Stress Management (11)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/stress-management)
- [brain health (9)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/brain-health)
- [Alzheimer's (7)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/alzheimers)
- [Men's Health (7)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/mens-health)
- [Doctor's Appointments (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/doctors-appointments)
- [Elder Care (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/elder-care)
- [Healthcare (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthcare)
- [philadelphia (6)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/philadelphia)
- [Diabetes Management (5)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/diabetes-management)
- [Dr. Daphne Goldberg (5)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-daphne-goldberg)
- [Family Medicine (5)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/family-medicine)
- [Concierge Primary Care Physicians (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/concierge-primary-care-physicians)
- [Dr. David Perkins (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-david-perkins)
- [Dr. Teresa A. Saris (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-teresa-a-saris)
- [Holistic Medicine (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/holistic-medicine)
- [Home Care (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/home-care)
- [Lung Cancer (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/lung-cancer)
- [Summer (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/summer)
- [mental health (4)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/mental-health)
- [Cervical Cancer (3)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cervical-cancer)
- [Dr. Frank Pettinelli, Jr. (3)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-frank-pettinelli-jr)
- [2018 (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/2018)
- [Chronic Pain (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain)
- [Electronic Medical Records (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/electronic-medical-records)
- [Geriatric Medicine (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/geriatric-medicine)
- [Inflammation (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/inflammation)
- [Safety (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/safety)
- [obesity (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/obesity)
- [smoking (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/smoking)
- [sugar (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/sugar)
- [trends (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/trends)
- [winter (2)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/winter)
- [2017 (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/2017)
- [Arthritis (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/arthritis)
- [CNN (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cnn)
- [CTE concussion (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cte-concussion)
- [Chronic Conditions (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/chronic-conditions)
- [Dr. Bruce Sokoloff (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/dr-bruce-sokoloff)
- [FAQ (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/faq)
- [Google (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/google)
- [Insomnia (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/insomnia)
- [Internal Medicine (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/internal-medicine)
- [Recreation (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/recreation)
- [ambulance (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/ambulance)
- [bill gates (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/bill-gates)
- [blood pressure (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/blood-pressure)
- [cold (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/cold)
- [college (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/college)
- [digital (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/digital)
- [disease (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/disease)
- [eagles (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/eagles)
- [emergency room (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/emergency-room)
- [functional medicine (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/functional-medicine)
- [healthcare cost (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/healthcare-cost)
- [heart (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/heart)
- [holiday (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/holiday)
- [hydration (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/hydration)
- [hypertension (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/hypertension)
- [lifestyle (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/lifestyle)
- [new year (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/new-year)
- [pills (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/pills)
- [region (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/region)
- [sensors (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/sensors)
- [snoring (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/snoring)
- [students (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/students)
- [superbowl (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/superbowl)
- [tamiflu (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/tamiflu)
- [thanksgiving (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/thanksgiving)
- [treatment (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/treatment)
- [vaccine (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/vaccine)
- [vitamin b12 (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/vitamin-b12)
- [weather (1)](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/topic/weather)

see all

#### Concierge Programs

- [Individual Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/use-personal-wellness-program-take-care/)
- [Family Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/concierge-family-medicine-programs/)
- [Corporate Programs](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/medical-concierge-services-cater-needs/corporate-health-programs/)
- [How TAM Works With Insurance](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medicine-and-insurance/)
- [About Us](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/about-concierge-health-services/)

#### Meet the Doctors

- [Our Doctors](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/doctors)
- [Member Stories](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/concierge-medical-care-testimonials/)
- [Doctor Stories](http://http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-healthcare-fit-life/boutique-medicine/)

#### Specialties

- [Family Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/main-line-family-medicine/)
- [Internal Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/internal-medicine-philadelphia/)
- [Holistic Medicine](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/holistic-medicine-philadelphia/)
- [Geriatrics](http://www.totalaccessmedical.com/concierge-medicine/geriatric-doctors/)

### Newsletter

Copyright © 2026 Total Access Medical, All Rights Reserved.  
 Built by [Bumblebee Media](http://bumblebeemedia.org/)  
[Disclaimer](https://www.totalaccessmedical.com/disclaimer/) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.totalaccessmedical.com/privacy-policy/)

[![icon-linkedin](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2105701761-jpg/Email_Images/icon-linkedin.jpg?width=36&name=icon-linkedin.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/total-access-medical)   [![icon-twitter](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2106151829-jpg/Email_Images/icon-twitter.jpg?width=36&name=icon-twitter.jpg)](https://twitter.com/totalaccessmed)   [![icon-facebook](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2106151824-jpg/Email_Images/icon-facebook.jpg?width=36&name=icon-facebook.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/TotalAccessMedical)   [![icon-youtube](https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/hs-fs/file-2105701741-jpg/Email_Images/icon-youtube.jpg?width=36&name=icon-youtube.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/totalaccessmedical)

![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/962285871/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)