Lately, people are increasingly busy looking for masks to protect themselves from Coronaviruses. However, the large selection of masks on the market can get you confused. To select a mask, you need to understand each mask’s function first. See the following article for explanations.
Currently, using masks is recommended for people traveling to anticipate the transmission of Coronaviruses. This Virus is found in the saliva splashes of sick people when he sneezes, coughs, or even talks. Transmission occurs when the drooling of the saliva inhaled by others around.
What type mask for coronavirus?
This type of mask varies. Some of them are only useful to ward off pollution, but cannot resist the transmission of Coronaviruses. Until now, there are 3 types of mask for Coronaviruses suggested to the public:
Cloth mask
Cloth masks can be used to prevent transmission while anticipating the scarcity of masks that occur in markets such as pharmacies and health stores. Cloth mask made need to have 3 (three) layers i.e. Waterproof non-woven layer (front), microfibre melt-blown non-woven fabric (middle) (middle), and ordinary non-woven fabrics (rear).
Cloth masks need to be washed and can be worn many times. Materials used for cloth masks are cotton fabric, scarf, and so on.
Use of cloth masks can be used to:
For the general public in a healthy state
This type of mask can be used when in public places and other facilities while maintaining a safe distance of 1-2 meters. However, if the community has activities that are classified as dangerous (for example, handling Covid-19 bodies, and so on) it is not recommended to use cloth masks, but should use other types of masks and Personal protective equipment (PPE) supporters.
For medical personnel
Cloth masks are not recommended as PPES (personal protective equipment) for high severity because about 40%-90% of particles can penetrate cloth masks for medical personnel. Cloth masks should only be used as a last option if a surgical mask or an N95 mask is no longer available.
Nevertheless the use of cloth masks by medical personnel should ideally be combined with a protective face covering all the front and sides of the face.
2 Ply Surgical Mask.
Surgical Mask 2 Ply consisting of only 2 layers (layers) is the outer layer and the inner layer without the middle layer that serves as a filter.
Because it does not have a filter layer in the middle between the outer layer of waterproof and in a direct contact with the skin, then this type of mask is less effective to filter the droplet or splash that comes out of the wearer’s mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Thus, this type of mask is only recommended for the use of daily society that does not show the symptoms of flu or influenza accompanied by cough, sneezing, watery nose, fever, sore throat. Because it is translucent, this mask is not recommended for use by medical personnel in health care facilities, let alone deal with patients exposed to the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Surgical Mask 3 Ply
The next mask for coronavirus is 3 Ply surgical mask.
Surgical masks have three layers: the outer layer of the cloth without water-resistant woven, the inner layer is a high density filter layer and a deep layer that attaches directly to the skin that serves as a large-absorbent liquid that comes out of the user when coughing or sneezing.
Since it has a filter layer, surgical masks are effective for filtering out droplet that is out of the wearer when coughing or sneezing. However, this layer is not a barrier breathing protection because it cannot protect the wearer from being wrapped in smaller airborne particles.
Thus, this mask is recommended for people who show symptoms of flu or influenza, namely cough, sneezing, watery nose, fever, sore throat. This mask can also be used by medical personnel in health care facilities.
Mask N95 (or equivalently)
The next mask for coronavirus is N95 Mask.
The N95 mask is a commonly talked about and is a disposable group of Filtering Facepiece Respirator (FFR) mask. This type of mask group has the advantage of not only protecting the wearer from liquid exposure with droplet size, but also liquids up to the aerosol size.
This type of mask also has a strict face seal fit so as to support the wearer avoid exposure to aerosol exposure as long as the seal fit is ensured properly installed.
The type of Filtering Facepiece Respirator (FFR) mask which is equivalent to the N95 is FFP2 (EN 149-2001, Europe), KN95 (GB2626-2006, China), P2 (AS/NZA) 1716:2012 (Australia / New Zealand), KF94 (KMOEL-2017-64, Korea), DS (JMHLW-Notification 214.2018, Japan).
This group of masks is recommended mainly for health professionals who should contact closures to directly handle cases with high infectious levels such as positive patients infected with Coronavirus Covid-19.
How to use cloth masks to make it more effective to prevent Coronaviruses?
Although it is called less effective than other types of masks, it does not mean cloth masks are not worth using at all. Due to the limited number of masks that are ideal for preventing Coronaviruses, a cloth mask can be used as a last resort to protect you from exposure to Coronaviruses.
It is considered better than not wearing masks at all when you cough and sneeze or when you are close to other people who may have been infected with Coronaviruses.
To keep cloth masks safe and effective, try following these tips:
- Choose a mask that fits your face size and can close your mouth, nose, and chin.
- Wash your hands before wearing a mask, then put a mask on the face and slip it on the back of the ear or tie the mask behind the head tightly so that the mask is not loose.
- When cloth masks are used, avoid touching the mask. If you want to fix the position of a changing or loose mask, wash your hands first before touching the cloth mask that is being used.
- After finishing using, remove the mask by opening the strap mask behind the head and then washing the cloth mask with hot water and detergent.
- Immediately change the cloth mask when it is torn or damaged.
What is the best mask for coronavirus?
After reading the above description, the best mask for the coronavirus depends on the user’s health condition, environmental conditions and the activities carried out.
Read also: Remdesivir Uses and Side Effects
Thank you very much for reading The Types Mask For Coronavirus and How To Use It
