Do Medical Masks Protect Against Corona Virus?
The World Health Organization does not recommend that healthy people wear medical masks to protect against viral diseases like Corona Virus.
The WHO believes that if you use a mask when there is no need for it, people have a false sense of security. As a result, they neglect more important hygiene measures, such as hand washing or self-isolation. Some states do not recommend their citizens to buy masks, so as not to create a shortage for health workers.
Most central health authorities in China, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong, to one degree or another, advise citizens to wear medical masks. This usually applies to people at increased risk, those who are in quarantine, whose work is related to people. It is also useful to wear masks in poorly ventilated rooms and in public transport.
What the studies say?
There is currently no reliable evidence that masks prevent infection with influenza viruses or SARS-CoV-2. In 2003, during the SARS corona virus epidemic, scientists from Hong Kong examined the efficacy of conventional three-layer masks.
They found that these masks do not help protect against the virus. Only four-layer surgical masks or N95 respirators showed statistically significant efficacy. However, a later study by scientists from Canada did not find any noticeable benefit from wearing masks such as N95.
Masks accurately help reduce the number of pathogens that an infected person gives off. American researchers from the University of Maryland have confirmed that face masks reduce the amount of influenza virus that patients excrete with coughing and sneezing by three times .
Another reason why masks are ineffective is the ability of viruses to enter the body through the mucous membrane of the eyes. It has been proven that the flu virus can enter the respiratory tract through the nasolacrimal canals.
Who should wear masks for flu and corona virus?
World Health Organization experts advise wearing medical masks in only two cases:
Do you feel sick. The mask will not allow droplets with the virus to spread far from you. Wear a mask as soon as you feel unwell or begin to sneeze and cough.
You care for the sick. This implies close contact, which means that the mask will provide additional protection against aerosol drops.
Which mask is better to protect against corona virus?
To provide maximum protection, the mask should cover the entire face. Such masks are called full-face respirators. Usually they are used by doctors, scientists, rescuers and the military, but all of them are available for sale. There are also respirators that cover only the nose and mouth - they have less protection.
An ordinary disposable mask is not certified as a respiratory protective device - due to the fact that it does not fit snugly against the skin. This is not a drawback for masks such as N95. You can find their analogues in Russia - in the domestic classification they correspond to masks with protection levels FFP2 and FFP3.
Thus, an ordinary mask protects against viruses the worst. FFP2 and FFP3 class masks help a little more, and even better respirators with filters or full-face masks.
How to wear a mask?
To get the maximum benefit from a protective agent, adhere to these rules :
- Before putting on the mask, be sure to wash your hands with soap or wipe them with an antiseptic.
- Check if the mask is intact.
- Find the side that should fit to your face — it’s usually white and the outside is blue.
- Take the mask by the loop and fasten it to the ears.
- Bend the stiff wire strip so that the mask fits snugly on the face and nose.
- Pull the bottom of the mask over your mouth and chin. The latter must be shaved.
How to wear masks?
Wearing a mask is not enough. If you do it wrong, you will either not improve the situation, or you will only make it worse.
Disposable medical masks need to be changed periodically. WHO recommends doing this after the mask becomes wet. This is due to the fact that a moist and warm environment is ideal for the life of any viruses and bacteria.
Do not reuse the mask. Do not wash or iron it - in this case, the structure of the fibers is violated, and they begin to transmit viruses.
A mask is not a guarantee of safety. If you wear a mask, you should still follow the WHO recommended measures:
- Wash your hands often with soap or treat them with an alcohol-based antiseptic.
- Avoid touching your face and mask with your hands.
- Keep at least one meter away from other people.
How to remove the mask?
When you went through the mask for a while and it became wet, it needs to be replaced. It can have a lot of bacteria and viruses, and so that they do not enter your body, follow these recommendations:
- Before removing the mask, wash your hands or treat them with an antiseptic.
- Grasp the hinges and remove the mask. Do not touch the front of the mask.
- Throw the used mask into the bin.
- Wash your hands again with soap or an antiseptic.
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