Mask myth put to test

Many say they don't wear a face covering when out in public because it cuts off oxygen.

Action News Now Reporter Brandon Benitez put that claim to the test

Mandated when out in public -- but many say they don't wear one because it cuts off oxygen.

According to the mayo clinic..

A normal pulse 'ox- imeter' reading usually ranges from 95 to 100.

Action news now reporter brandon benitez wore a mask to see the impacts it had on his reading..

## many are still adjusting to masks especially because there has been so much mandating mask use when in public... but to help out if they do cut off circulation or oxygen, i've enlisted the help of this pulse oxcimeter... it's a noninvasive device that calcualtes the oxygen levels in your blood through your finger... the top number that pops up is your pulse rate or number of times your heart beats per minute -- while the number to your bottom left shows us a number that should be 94 and 99... for this experiment i want to see exactly how many masks it takes before we see any potential changes so we'll start with plain...pulse is at 82, oxygen rate 98 percent..

Now we're going to try it with just one mask... one mask on pulse is 85 and oxygen rate is at 99.

Now time for two masks.... okygen rate still at 99 pulse rate at 94... let's move on to three masks... oxygen rate 98 pulse is at 94... four masks in so far no change in oxygenation in my blood.

Still at 99 and i've been taking deep breaths in between each and every round... five masks in it might be getting harder to even hear me.... 98-99 percent oxygen rate... so there you have it.

Masks -- while they may not be the most comfortbale to wear -- you can still breathe in them and they're still supposed to be for the intended use of not spreading the virus or germs to other people... in chico brandon benitez action news now coverage you can count on... brandon's pulse oximeter reading remained in a normal range - showing in the test brandon just did..

A mask does not have a negative impact on oxygen intake levels.

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