Medical masks: how to choose and whether it will help protect against the virus
The coronavirus is raging in Ukraine, as well as around the world. The country has introduced quarantine and strict security measures. Many people, in order to protect themselves from the virus, walk in masks. The effectiveness of this method is still being debated. However, without masks are not allowed in banks and other institutions that are not closed during the quarantine period. We tell you how to choose a good mask, and what to look for.
Do you need a mask ?
First of all, the World Health Organization recommends wearing a medical mask for people who cough or sneeze, and healthy people should wear it when they help a person suspected of Covid-19.
In addition, do not forget that medical masks are effective only in combination with regular hand treatment with alcohol-based antiseptics or soapy water.
In turn, the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Health, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Viktor Lyashko said that the medical mask does not protect a person from coronavirus, but it can protect others if this person is a carrier of the virus.
"Wearing a mask at this particular moment, we reduce the possibility of infection of people who work in government agencies, and who are obliged to go to work today to ensure the viability of the country," - said Lyashko.
He clarified that the mask reduces the distance to which an infected person spreads the pathogen, including coronavirus.
What are the masks
? What is now widely bought in Ukraine is an ordinary medical mask , or it is also called a surgical mask. As protection against a virus such masks are absolutely useless. However, studies have shown that such masks can still prevent infection. They can be worn for 2 - 6 hours, depending on external conditions, but if the street is in full swing, you need to change this mask every two hours.
Previously, the prices for medical masks were pennies, but now, not only is it almost impossible to find them in pharmacies, and one copy costs more than 25 UAH.
Respiratory masks should be used instead of the above-mentioned mask for reliable protection against viruses. There are a total of respirators with three different degrees of protection: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 (Filtering Face Piece).
Respirators with FFP1 protection are much more effective than conventional medical masks. Yes, they are designed to protect against non-toxic dust and large drops. This mask filters about 80% of particles smaller than 2 microns, ie they contain no more than 80% of harmful substances in the air.
Most often, such respirators are used to protect against non-toxic dust in the agricultural, food, woodworking, construction industries, when working in quarries, working with cement, etc. It is believed that this type of mask does not protect against viral diseases. But you can wear respirators longer than a regular surgical mask - up to 8 hours.
Now in online stores the cost of such masks varies from 60 to 200 UAH.
Respirators with FFP2 protection filter about 94% of contaminants, this type of mask should be used to protect against viruses and, in particular, against coronavirus. This is recommended by both the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
In addition, the respirator is also designed to work in toxic dust, oil, water and aerosols. Wear them toocosts no more than 8 hours.
In online stores, the cost of respirators of this class varies from 90 to 350 UAH.
Respirators with FFP3 protection filter about 99.95% of the particles. They are used in difficult working conditions, where people need to be protected from high concentrations of dust, toxic substances and even radioactive substances. It is difficult to breathe in such masks, so to spend 8 hours in it is more problematic than in others.
These respirators are the most expensive - most prices start at 200 UAH, but you can find cheaper.
How to wear a mask
In addition to choosing the right mask, you need to be able to wear and wear it. Because otherwise all protection will be nullified. The WHO website has complete instructions on how to do this:
- before putting on the mask, you need to treat your hands with an alcohol-based product or wash them thoroughly with soap;
- The mask should be worn so that it covers the nose and mouth without gaps between the face and the mask;
- do not touch the mask during use;
- in case of contact, treat your hands with an alcohol-based product and wash them with soap. As soon as the mask becomes wet, replace it with a new one, and do not use disposable masks again;
- remove the mask should be carefully holding the rubber bands behind (without touching the front of the mask);
- after that it should be immediately thrown into a closed waste container , and then wash your hands or treat them with an alcohol-based product .
Author Anastasia Ishchenko
Photo Unsplash, Pixabay
Read also: Self-isolation during illness COLLECTED 1,505,000
Do you need a mask ?
First of all, the World Health Organization recommends wearing a medical mask for people who cough or sneeze, and healthy people should wear it when they help a person suspected of Covid-19.
In addition, do not forget that medical masks are effective only in combination with regular hand treatment with alcohol-based antiseptics or soapy water.
In turn, the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Health, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Viktor Lyashko said that the medical mask does not protect a person from coronavirus, but it can protect others if this person is a carrier of the virus.
"Wearing a mask at this particular moment, we reduce the possibility of infection of people who work in government agencies, and who are obliged to go to work today to ensure the viability of the country," - said Lyashko.
He clarified that the mask reduces the distance to which an infected person spreads the pathogen, including coronavirus.
What are the masks
? What is now widely bought in Ukraine is an ordinary medical mask , or it is also called a surgical mask. As protection against a virus such masks are absolutely useless. However, studies have shown that such masks can still prevent infection. They can be worn for 2 - 6 hours, depending on external conditions, but if the street is in full swing, you need to change this mask every two hours.
Previously, the prices for medical masks were pennies, but now, not only is it almost impossible to find them in pharmacies, and one copy costs more than 25 UAH.
Respiratory masks should be used instead of the above-mentioned mask for reliable protection against viruses. There are a total of respirators with three different degrees of protection: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 (Filtering Face Piece).
Respirators with FFP1 protection are much more effective than conventional medical masks. Yes, they are designed to protect against non-toxic dust and large drops. This mask filters about 80% of particles smaller than 2 microns, ie they contain no more than 80% of harmful substances in the air.
Most often, such respirators are used to protect against non-toxic dust in the agricultural, food, woodworking, construction industries, when working in quarries, working with cement, etc. It is believed that this type of mask does not protect against viral diseases. But you can wear respirators longer than a regular surgical mask - up to 8 hours.
Now in online stores the cost of such masks varies from 60 to 200 UAH. Respirators with FFP2 protection filter about 94% of contaminants, this type of mask should be used to protect against viruses and, in particular, against coronavirus. This is recommended by both the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
In addition, the respirator is also designed to work in toxic dust, oil, water and aerosols. Wear them toocosts no more than 8 hours.
In online stores, the cost of respirators of this class varies from 90 to 350 UAH. Respirators with FFP3 protection filter about 99.95% of the particles. They are used in difficult working conditions, where people need to be protected from high concentrations of dust, toxic substances and even radioactive substances. It is difficult to breathe in such masks, so to spend 8 hours in it is more problematic than in others.
These respirators are the most expensive - most prices start at 200 UAH, but you can find cheaper. How to wear a mask
In addition to choosing the right mask, you need to be able to wear and wear it. Because otherwise all protection will be nullified. The WHO website has complete instructions on how to do this:
- before putting on the mask, you need to treat your hands with an alcohol-based product or wash them thoroughly with soap;
- The mask should be worn so that it covers the nose and mouth without gaps between the face and the mask;
- do not touch the mask during use;
- in case of contact, treat your hands with an alcohol-based product and wash them with soap. As soon as the mask becomes wet, replace it with a new one, and do not use disposable masks again;
- remove the mask should be carefully holding the rubber bands behind (without touching the front of the mask);
- after that it should be immediately thrown into a closed waste container , and then wash your hands or treat them with an alcohol-based product .
Author Anastasia Ishchenko
Photo Unsplash, Pixabay
Read also: Self-isolation during illness COLLECTED 1,505,000