Face Masks: A Guide to When and How to Wear Them ¶
As the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic continues to spread, face masks have become a common feature on the streets of affected countries. But are these masks meant for everyone? When should you buy and wear one? How should it be worn and how do they work anyway?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), you should only wear a face mask if you are ill or if looking after a person with the virus. Disposable face masks can only be used once, and the WHO notes that if you are not ill or taking care of a patient, you are wasting a mask, worsening the current global shortage.
However, there are certain individuals who should wear a face mask, including suspected cases, confirmed cases, health care workers, pathology specimen collectors, airline passengers and staff, and people with low immunity. These individuals should also adhere to other measures such as frequent hand washing and avoiding social interactions.
But what is wrong with using face masks? According to Public Health England, the use of masks could encourage the spread of the virus as people tend to touch their faces more while wearing one, hence increasing their chances of picking up the virus. Additionally, people also wear the masks for longer periods than intended, causing them to become moist, unsanitary and an ideal environment for germs and viruses to breed.
It is essential to note that wearing a face mask does not mean you are fully protected from the coronavirus. Viruses such as the Covid-19 can also enter the human body through the eyes and tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, can penetrate masks. However, masks are not completely useless as they are very effective at capturing droplets, one of the main transmission routes of the coronavirus.
Some studies show that face masks roughly provide fivefold protection against the virus. Therefore, if you are likely to be in close contact with an infected person, a mask will cut your chances of getting infected. This makes masks essential for patients, their families, health and social care workers.
So, how should you wear and dispose of a face mask? The WHO provides the following guidelines:
- Remember, a mask should only be used by health workers, care takers and individuals with respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough.
- Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Take the mask and inspect it for tears or holes.
- Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards (the coloured side).
- Place the mask on your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge off the mask so it moulds to the shape of your nose.
- Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin.
- Cover the mouth and nose with the mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
- After use, take off the mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.
- Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.
- Perform hand hygiene after touching or discarding the mask. Use alcohol-based hand rub or, if visibly soiled, wash your hands with soap and water.
There are highly specialised masks that can prevent the virus, but they are very expensive and only work effectively if used under certain protocols. N95 respirators are the most ideal as they fit more tightly and prevent the wearer from inhaling smaller, airborne infectious particles. However, these masks are not recommended for use by the general public as health workers need them more. Surgical masks are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus from spreading it to others.
