WHY SHOULD WE WEAR MASKS?
Masks are the most essential step to reduce or stop transmission of communicable diseases like COVID-19. Masks can be a protection for a healthy person or it can prevent further spread from an unhealthy person.
HOW DO MASKS PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?
COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets like when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks the droplets can enter into the mouth or nose of nearby people and possibly inhale into the lungs. Thus masks provide a barrier to prevent respiratory spread.
DO CHILDREN NEED MASKS?
As per WHO children above 2 definitely need masks, although they have less risk but prevention is better than cure.
TYPES OF MASKS:
Medical
Fabric
Respirators.
WHICH MASK IS MOST EFFECTIVE?
Definitely respirators are more effective than surgical and fabric masks.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL MASKS AND RESPIRATORS?
|
SURGICAL MASKS |
RESPIRATORS |
|
Provides protection from large droplets, splashes, sprays of bodily, or respiratory emissions |
Provides protection from small particles, aerosols, viruses and bacteria |
|
Not made for perfect fit |
Made for tight and perfect fit |
|
Fit test is not required to wear |
Fit test required to wear it properly |
|
Does not protect from inhaling small airborne particles |
95% protection against small airborne particles |
|
Leakage occurs around edges when user inhales |
If fitted properly then minimal leakage is there |
HOW MANY TIMES WE CAN REPEATEDLY USE SAME MASK?
Except fabric masks both surgical masks and respirators are made for single use. Fabric masks can be repeat for two to three days with some safety measures like: wash it with hot water or boil your mask or keep it in sunlight for sometime.
DO’S & DON’T’S:
|
DON’T’S |
DO’S |
|
Leave your chin exposed |
Wear a tight fitted mask, close your mouth and nose properly, try to wear a double mask. |
|
Wear mask below nose |
|
|
Wear your mask loosely with gaps |
|
|
Push your mask under chin |
|
|
Wear mask like it just covers you nose tip |
References:
https://www.unicef.org/sudan/everything-you-need-know-about-face-masks
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/understanddifferenceinfographic-508.pdf