In order to prevent COVID-19 infection, face masks have been widely used. Governments are also focusing a lot to tell citizens to wear masks when going out. Are face masks really effective in preventing Coronavirus? When can you wear them? Read on to get more details.
There are, basically, three types of Face Masks –
- DIY cotton face masks
- Surgical masks
- N95 respirators
DIY face masks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended everyone to wear homemade face masks to avoid the spread of the virus from asymptomatic people. It is not easy to maintain proper hygiene and social distancing (6 ft. distance) in public places. So, here are some recommendations –
- Always wear face masks when going out, especially in public places and areas like pharmacies and grocery stores where there is a high risk of community transmission.
- Don’t put cloth masks on kids below two years, unconscious people, people with breathing problems, or when someone cannot remove masks themselves.
- Healthcare workers should be conscientious when using those face masks. Use these masks with other protection like face shield to cover the whole sides and front of the face.
- Use cloth masks instead of N95 and surgical masks as they should be reserved for emergency care workers and healthcare professionals.
Note – Washcloth face masks often. Be careful when removing them. Don’t touch your nose, eyes, and mouth. After removal, wash your hands quickly.
Benefits
- Cloth face masks are easy to make at home with conventional materials.
- Control the risk of transmission from asymptomatic people through coughs, sneezes, and speaking.
- At least, necessary protection is better than not using anything at all.
Surgical Masks
They are loose-fitting, disposable face masks to cover your mouth, nose, and chin. They can protect you from splashes, sprays, and large droplets, and avoid transmission from the wearer to others.
You can choose from different designs, but the mask is usually rectangular and flat with folds or creases. It has a metal strip to cover your nose from the top. They have long ties or elastic bands to hold back.
N95 Respirators
These types of masks are tighter in fit. They can also filter out around 95% of tiny particles along with sprays, splashes, and big droplets. The respirator is oval or circular in shape, and it can fit right on your face. They keep steady with elastic bands. Some types of masks have exhalation valves to help you in breathing and control the buildup of humidity and heat. You need to test them before use to form a proper seal. You should do a seal check every time you wear them.
All in all, if you are going to public settings, you should wear cloth face masks. If you are a healthcare worker or emergency care professional, you can consider surgical masks and N95 respirators.