Do face masks protect against coronavirus? Specialists dispel doubts: ordinary surgical masks are not sufficient protection.
Face masksare currently the first necessities. Many people reach for them in the hope that they protect against a dangerous infection. However, specialists are not so optimistic. Is it worth wearing masks, or are they completely useless in the face of the increasing number of cases of the coronavirus from China?
Contents:
- Surgical masks - not worth buying
- N95 masks - much better, but not perfect
- Masks - important disposal
Surgical masks - not worth buying
Specialists who have repeatedly spoken about face masks in recent days agree - ordinary surgical masks will not protect anyone against coronavirus.
According to US officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (an agency of the US federal government), their use only makes sense in the case of already infected people, thus limiting the spread of infection by droplets.
In turn, researchers from Public He alth England, an agency of the Department of He alth and Human Services in the United Kingdom, say that there is no evidence that the wearing of surgical masks by he althy people is any prevention of coronavirus.
This is because these masks are not designed to protect against virus-sized particles, nor do they adhere tightly enough to the face to provide sufficient protection against pathogens. Surgical masks also do not have an air filter and leave your eyes exposed.
Their only advantage in the context of disease prevention is the fact that they limit the number of touches to the face - research from 2016 shows that a person touches the face on average 23 times per hour, which is known to promote the transmission of microbes from the hand.
It is much more effective to implement simple hygiene measures, cover your mouth when you sneeze, or wash your hands without putting them to your eyes and mouth.
Scientists also emphasize that infection with "ordinary" flu is still much more likely than contracting an infection caused by coronavirus.
Together Against Coronavirus
N95 masks - much better, but not perfect
Protection against viruses is provided by more specialized masks called N95. These are convex masks with an elastic band around the upper and lower part of the head, which consist of 4-5 layers and a filter that captures 95% of particles down to 0.3 μm.
These masks, in addition to their convex shape, also have a metal bridge that adapts to the shape of the nose, thanks to which the mask fits tightly to the face.
However, medical and governmental institutions warn us not to buy masks without a reason, i.e. in a situation where we do not have direct contact with the virus, i.e. we do not care for an infected person. There are several reasons.
First of all:are specialized medical accessories, which medical personnel learns about during proper putting on, as well as removal and disposal. Wearing them incorrectly and not fitting properly does not offer protection, and breathing through an N95 mask is simply difficult and cannot continue for more than an hour continuously.
Second:the number of masks currently produced is limited, so you should use their resources wisely - this may be important if the coronation man actually causes an epidemic, which cannot be ruled out .
Third:wearing a mask only makes sense in combination with other precautions, such as regular hand disinfection and avoiding clusters of people or coronavirus outbreaks.
The same opinion is shared by the World He alth Organization, which in the face of the raging 2022-nCoV virus has issued official recommendations. The WHO said that wearing masks only makes sense when we are in contact with someone infected with the coronavirus. If, on the other hand, we are he althy, we do not have to use them.
What about anti-smog masks? If they have an N95 or N99 carbon filter, they can theoretically protect against viruses. Unfortunately, most of them have the same disadvantage as surgical masks, i.e. they do not fit closely to the face.
Masks - important disposal
You have to remember, however, that in the case of protection against the coronavirus with an anti-smog mask or any other mask, it is important not only to wear it, but also to remove and dispose of it.
So if you decide to wear a mask, remember the WHO recommendations for its proper use and disposal.
- Before applying the mask, wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand towel or soap and water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with the mask and make sure between your faceand the mask has no gaps.
- Avoid touching the mask while wearing it; if you do this, wash your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is wet and do not re-use disposable masks.
- To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of the mask); dispose immediately in a closed container; clean your hands with an alcohol-based liquid or soap and water.
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