What are the types of Face Masks one should be aware of during COVID-19 Pandemic?

Madan KumarMay 24, '21

Face masks can be seen as a metaphor that translates to the unprecedented times that we are in where people from all walks of life are doing all they can do to stay alive and avoid the detrimental effects of COVID-19. A while ago, wearing a face mask would attract attention from the public but now, it is an essential item, and leaving the house without one might attract trouble.

Types of Face Masks

The WHO (World Health Organization) has issued clear guidelines that recommend the use of certain types of face masks for specific reasons. Before availing of these masks for public use, various safety guidelines should be adhered to. Here are some of the approved masks.

N95 Masks

It is widely used in the United States as it has been approved by NIOSH. These face mask obtains its name from its properties of not being resistant to oil and having a filtration minimum capacity of 95%. This property allows it to be efficient even in catching viruses as tiny as 0.3 microns. Other face masks denoted N99 and R99 have the ability to filter up to 99% of the impurities, bacteria, and viruses in the air.

Face Filtering Piece(FFP)

This type of face mask is widely distributed across Europe. They are categorized as FFP1,2 and 3. According to the standards in Europe, each piece can filter up to 89% of the particles down to 0.3 microns.FFP1 is common among people with respiratory complications sparked by allergens such as dust or pollen.FFP2 is more sophisticated rendering it capable to prevent chemical pollutants, viruses, and bacterial.FFP3 provides ultimate care and shields almost all forms of pollutants, viruses, and bacteria with abilities to filter even the tiniest of substances.

Surgical Masks

They are generally used to protect the wearer from large particles and infectious respiratory diseases. Surgical masks are thought not to be so efficient when handling COVID-19, other supplementary PPEs are required to enhance its efficiency.

Reusable Cotton Face Masks

These Face Masks are usually made with 100% Cotton or poly cotton material. They can be made out of a material similar to T-Shirts or cotton material used for dress shirts. They are appropriate for keeping off dust particles and holding fluids during coughing and sneezing. As for shielding you against viruses like COVID 19, reusable cotton face masks have no ability to do so.

Why should you wear a Reusable Face Mask?

  1. We might have had no reason at all to wear face masks but with the surfacing of coronaviruses, that is a reason good enough to keep our mask on at all times. Other purposes of face masks include.

  2. Coughing and sneezing release millions of body fluid particles to the environment. This can ensure the maximum spread of a viral, bacterial, or respiratory disease if the fluids are from an infected person and a facemask will help contain the body fluids.

  3. Wearing face masks ensures that we embark on our daily activities. The only way that normal activities in the world can be resumed can only be facilitated if people wear face masks.

  4. For the asymptomatic carriers, wearing face masks during this period will ensure you limit your chances of transferring the virus to other people.

  5. Wearing a face mask is a massage on its own. It reminds the person next to you of the magnitude of the virus and secretly urges them to participate in the Social/Physical Distancing process.

  6. It is a must-have tool for any health worker.

Precautions to take while using Face Masks

  1. Wash the reusable face mask with detergents and probably hot water and let it dry before use. Machine wash is acceptable.

  2.  Using face masks does not prevent the observation of other safety precautions. Observe social distancing, wash hands, and avoid touching your face and nose.

  3. When removing the mask, do not touch it, rather, remove it by the straps, fold it in a way that the outer surface is held inwards against itself. Wash your hands after handling.

  4. Store the mask appropriately in clean paper/cloth bags. Wash the cloth bags often along with the cotton Face Masks.

When to wear a Reusable Face Mask?

Consider wearing a mask as soon as the idea of leaving the house crosses your mind. As part of the efforts to help combat COVID 19, various governments across the world have passed legislation that requires citizens to wear face masks before going to public places. When you are experiencing cough and sneezing, you definitely need to put on a face mask even at home unless you are staying alone.

How to properly wear Reusable Cotton Face Masks.

  1. Properly clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer

  2. Check the mask for any defects. Replace the mask if you notice any defects.

  3. Determine which part of the mask goes at the top. Most reusable cotton face masks have a white inside fabric.

  4. Determine the front part of the mask using the difference in color. The front has more color than the inside.

  5. Hold the mask by the ear loops then carefully place each loop around each ear

  6. For the masks with ties, bring the mask to your nose level and place the ties over the crown of your head and secure the bow.

  7. Ensure that the shape of your nose and the design of the mask fit well

  8. Pull the bottom of the mask to ensure it covers your mouth up to the chin.

Medical masks should only be used by medical practitioners. Most of them are single-use and need to be disposed of well in a manner that other people might not know. More so, medical masks are part of PPE kits and have other protective gear to supplement them for efficiency.

Cloth masks, on the other hand, can be reused. Washing them ensures that they are good enough to be used again and due to the low acquisition cost, the majority of the people can afford them.

Where to buy Reusable Cotton Face Masks?

Most grocery stores and online retailers carry reusable face masks. Gubbacci has introduced reusable face masks as one of their products. Customers can buy just one or for their entire family/team or all company employees. We are able to customize these masks by adding your company logo or slogan.

Place your orders on gubbacci website or call 8496 843 843 to enquire about bulk orders and custom face masks

Our Corporate Presentation: https://www.slideshare.net/MadanKumar172/gubbacci-sales-deck

Face Masks Information: https://www.slideshare.net/MadanKumar172/gubbacci-face-mask

References

Greenhalgh T Schmid MB Czypionka T Bassler D Gruer L (2020). Face masks for the public during the COVID-19 crisis.

Mendick R (2020). Now official advice may be to wear face masks in public to fight coronavirus.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/13/now-official-advice-may-wear-face-masks-public-fight-coronavirus/

Normile D (2020). Coronavirus cases have dropped sharply in South Korea. What's the secret to its success?

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/coronavirus-cases-have-dropped-sharply-south-korea-whats-secret-its-success

Cowling BJ Ali ST Ng TW et al. (2020). Impact assessment of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 and influenza in Hong Kong: an observational study. MedRxiv. 2020; (published online March 16.) (preprint). https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.12.20034660

Chan AL-y Leung CC Lam TH Cheng KK (2020). To wear or not to wear: WHO's confusing guidance on masks in the COVID-19 pandemic.

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