The world has been living with the Corona Virus disease (COVID-19) for the past three years. The recent global death toll from COVID-19 hit 638 million, with the United States, Brazil, and India being the hardest-hit countries at the pandemic’s height.
When it was announced as a pandemic, lockdowns and travel restrictions were implemented. In a matter of days, the number of infected patients and the death toll rose. The medical community was grasping at straws for solutions. Fortunately, health protocols were rolled out, which benefited the population and mitigated the severe effects of the virus. Vaccines were also created, and billions were inoculated. Today, the world is seeing some semblance of normalcy, with travel restrictions being lifted and face-to-face gatherings being allowed.
The past three years have taught many that the world can eradicate this terrible virus if people work together for the common good, including wearing a protective face mask. A face mask is a vital component of personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical to safeguarding the population from contracting an illness.
However, not all face masks are the same. Moreover, no specific type of face mask has a stamp of approval stating it’s the most effective against COVID-19. How one wears the mask is what truly matters. So, even if you have the most sophisticated respirator, but it’s ill-fitting, you can still get sick with the virus. Hence, an adult face mask on a child is not advisable as it will not fit well.
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The Different Types Of Face Masks
- Surgical Masks – These are masks you commonly see in the hospital during a medical procedure. It contains multiple layers of non-woven material and has a nose wire to help fit the mask on the bridge of the nose.
- Cloth Masks – These masks are made from fabric like cotton and can be homemade. When the surgical mask supply depleted in the first quarter of 2020, people were desperate to protect themselves, resulting in the proliferation of shops selling breathable cloth face masks. Though they might not be as effective as surgical masks, it was better than having no mask back then.
- N95 Respirator – This face protective device has a very close facial fit and optimal filtration of airborne particles. The edges of this mask form a tight seal around the nose and mouth, making some people uncomfortable wearing them. This mask is commonly used by health personnel. The bands are made from latex, so people allergic to it should consider this carefully.
- KN95 Mask – The most noticeable difference between N95 and KN95 is that KN95 has ear loops instead of latex bands. The masks are made from multi-layer polypropylene and non-woven construction material that effectively filters out pollen, particles, and the virus causing the disease.
Now that you know the different types of face masks, here are some tips to ensure that you effectively use them to protect yourself from the virus:
1. Always Wash Your Hands Before Touching Your Mask
Never touch your mask with unclean hands. By this time, you probably have realized how critical handwashing is in protecting yourself from the virus. And when you plan on putting a face mask on, ensure you do it with sterile hands.
2. Ensure A Right Fit
The mask should not have the slightest gap on its edges for airborne particles to enter. Therefore, you should hook the bottom of the mask to your chin. Then, pinch the wire on the upper a little to your nose. Moreover, it would be best if children wear masks fit for them. If you can’t find one, there’s a hack for folding a surgical mask to fit a child. You may check some videos about it online.
3. Never Touch The Outside Of The Mask
The exterior of your mask is the dirtiest. And after a long day of wearing them, millions of particles might get stuck there, especially for N95 masks, which attract viruses to stick to the fiber instead of just filtering them out.
4. Use The Loops Wisely
The loops are not just there to securely hold the mask to your ear but to give you something to grasp as you put them on or remove them.
5. Don’t Place Them Anywhere
Whenever you need to do something that would require you to take off your mask—for instance, eating or drinking—you may remove it but don’t leave it anywhere. Instead, use a mask holder or a sterile brown bag to temporarily store your mask until you need to use it again.
6. Replace Them
Masks are meant to be replaced. They’re disposable, aside from cloth masks that can be washed and reused. It’s best to replace your surgical masks every four hours, while for more sophisticated masks like N95s, you need to check the masks’ integrity, and if you feel that it’s compromised, you need to replace them.
7. Don’t Pull It Down Your Face
A mask will not be able to protect you if you’re wearing it incorrectly. So, don’t pull it down your face or hook it to your chin or ear like a trendy fashion style. Wear it correctly, covering your nose and mouth to ensure you’re well-protected.
Conclusion
The world is transitioning to the new normal. And in the new normal, masks will be a permanent part of people’s lives. It has helped the world tremendously in the past three years in eradicating the debilitating effects of COVID-19 and will continue to protect the population in what’s to come.
