What face mask to use to protect against SARS-CoV-2?

Many nations all over the world have launched an order to cowl the decrease elements of the face, nostril, and mouth in public locations to scale back the chance of SARS-CoV-2 an infection. It’s extensively suggested to cowl mouth and nostril at the least till an efficient coronavirus vaccine is developed and extensively obtainable. Many several types of protecting face masks may be at present present in pharmacies and shops. They’ve completely different functions and are made of various supplies. Nonetheless, the query is – does a face masks shield in opposition to the coronavirus?

In accordance with the suggestions of the WHO (World Well being Group), protecting masks must be worn by these:

sick, coughing, sneezing, with clear signs of the illness,

attending the sick.

The European Middle for Illness Prevention and Management agrees with the place of the WHO but additionally factors out that carrying masks in public locations, outlets or public transport can scale back the chance of spreading the virus by individuals who don’t exhibit signs of the illness.

Remember that the coronavirus is airborne – it’s unfold by coughing, sneezing, or perhaps a dialog with an contaminated particular person. The virus can enter the physique by the nostril, mouth, and eyes (instantly or by contact). Sporting protecting masks reduces the chance of this taking place.

What forms of protecting masks are there?

The diploma to which a masks can shield you depends upon the kind of masks you utilize. Available on the market, yow will discover surgical masks that shield the decrease a part of your face and protecting masks, the so-called half masks that shield the respiratory tract in opposition to the ingress of microorganisms.

A surgical masks is made from two or three layers of plastic – polypropylene. There are two forms of surgical masks:

kind I – with the filtration effectivity of >95 (two-layer masks),

kind II – with the filtration effectivity of >98; reveals resistance to permeation (three-layer masks).

Surgical masks are topic to European Customary EN 14683: 2019 + AC. Any such face masks is a barrier to physique fluids (saliva, blood, lymph) that may switch from a sick particular person to a wholesome particular person. Surgical masks are a barrier to microorganisms with a diameter of as much as 1 micrometer. It’s due to this fact permeable to viruses whose dimension is measured in nanometers. A surgical masks protects very nicely in opposition to additional transmitting the virus by spreading within the cloud of aerosol generated when sneezing or coughing. The bodily fluids carrying the virus are stopped on the within of the masks, doubtlessly containing a virus.

Surgical masks may be tied in two methods:

with straps – the person adjusts the masks to his face and ties the strings of the masks behind their head,

with elastic bands – snug bands which are pulled behind the person’s ear.

Each surgical masks has a sewn-in wire on the prime that enables the masks to tightly match over the nostril.

A surgical masks is a single-use medical masks. It must be disposed of after a single use or after contact with an contaminated particular person. A surgical masks offers short-term safety – as much as a number of dozen minutes, relying on its saturation with bodily fluids and steam.

The second kind of protecting masks are the half masks. They’re made from 4 or 5 layers of polypropylene. They’re stiffer than surgical masks and are additionally meant to stick to the nostril. They cease mud and aerosols. Half masks are divided into three varieties based mostly on their filtration:

FFP1 – stops roughly 80% of particles smaller than 2 micrometers in diameter,

FFP2 – stops roughly 94% of particles smaller than 0.5 micrometers in diameter,

FFP3 – stops roughly 99.95% of particles smaller than 0.5 micrometers in diameter.

The European customary for half masks has the mark 149:2010+A1:2019. The half masks adhere nicely to the face. They’re tied behind the pinnacle or have an elastic band. FFP2 and FFP3 masks are advisable for cover in opposition to viruses that could be airborne or in a cloud of aerosol emitted when coughing or sneezing. Disposable half masks can be utilized for as much as 8 hours or till they’re involved with an contaminated affected person. There are additionally reusable masks with replaceable filters. Such a filter must be changed in accordance with the producer’s suggestions in order that the masks retains its protecting properties. Half masks are often geared up with valves to facilitate respiration. The exhaled air contained in the masks is discharged by these valves, which prevents the buildup of moisture. The valve solely works in a single course – it’s not doable for air to enter the masks by the valve.

Attributable to rules being launched, many individuals have begun stitching masks at house. Three-layer cotton is principally used for this, often lined with fleece. These masks can be utilized a number of instances. Like surgical masks, they won’t cease viruses from getting into the respiratory system. They act as a barrier in opposition to airborne aerosols and in opposition to spreading the virus by individuals who might not present signs of the illness. Such protecting masks must be disinfected after every use, washing them at 60 levels Celsius or exposing them to sizzling steam, e.g. an iron (set at about 100 levels Celsius). The masks must be modified when it will get moist from the water vapor launched throughout respiration and after suspected contact with an contaminated particular person.

How you can correctly placed on a face masks?

Face masks don’t present 100% efficient safety in opposition to the virus and on the identical time may be harmful in case of improper use. So how do you utilize them correctly?

Earlier than placing on the masks, wash your palms with cleaning soap and water or disinfect them with a particular alcohol-based liquid.

Examine that the masks is just not broken.

Make sure that the surface of the masks is dealing with the right manner.

Modify the masks to your face utilizing strings or elastic bands. Modify the masks to your nostril and examine that it covers the decrease a part of your face.

Don’t contact the masks or face (eyes) along with your palms throughout use. Should you do, wash your palms instantly with cleaning soap and water or disinfect them utilizing a sanitizer.

Change the masks for a brand new one if it will get moist. Don’t re-use disposable masks.

After use, take away the masks touching solely its elastics or strings. Watch out that the masks doesn’t contact the pores and skin of your face or garments. Don’t contact the surface of the masks.

Throw the used masks right into a closed rubbish can.

After eradicating the masks, wash your palms with cleaning soap and water or a disinfectant.