3 wrong things when wearing masks and how to increase the effectiveness of masks Page all

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The use of masks has become very lonely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Masks are considered to be one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the virus from one person to another.

However, this efficacy can be achieved if the masks are used properly and correctly.

Also read: It turns out that the use of masks like this is wrong according to the Covid-19 Working Group

The spokesperson for the Covid-19 Management Working Group, Wiku Adisasmito, relayed tips and a number of things to avoid when wearing masks.

He asked the public to understand this so that the use of masks would be effective in preventing the transmission of the corona virus.

“The correct use of masks is very important to increase the effectiveness of masks in preventing the transmission of Covid-19,” Wiku said at a press conference broadcast on YouTube’s Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (2/18 / 2021).

3 things that are not recommended

Wiku said that there are at least 3 types of masks that can be used, namely medical masks or surgical mask, cloth masks and KN95 masks.

It is recommended that people do not wear masks that have air valves. Because, the presence of a valve in the mask can be an opening for the virus to enter.

Also read: The working group suggests the use of medical masks covered with cloth masks

Also, people are advised not to use 2 medical masks at the same time.

The combination of 2 medical masks, Wiku said, cannot improve the filtration against the virus.

Wiku also reminded the public not to cover the KN95 mask with other masks. This type of mask is sufficient to be used individually.

“Wearing a mask correctly is better than not wearing a mask,” Wiku said.

Increase the effectiveness of masks.

Wiku advised the public to wear medical masks covered with cloth masks.

According to research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States, wearing these two types of masks together can increase leakage against the virus.

“A recent study conducted in a laboratory found that the combination of dual masks provides much better protection for use and for other people than using just cloth masks or medical masks,” Wiku said.

Also read: See, 6 mistakes in washing fabric masks

To increase wearing comfort, it is recommended to choose a mask that has a wire in the nose.

Thus, the mask can adjust the shape of the nose and prevent the entry of the virus.

Also, people can wear a tampon so that the mask can be worn perfectly and conforms to the shape of the face.

It is recommended to choose an elastic mask holder so that it is comfortable to wear but remains closed.

“You can tie the rubber around the ears and fold the rest of the mask if the mask is larger than our face so that it fits snugly and perfectly covers the nose and mouth,” Wiku said.

Aside from the correct form, Wiku said that skins should be used consistently.

Also read: N95 masks can be dangerous if you store them wrong, here we show you how to clean them

The use of masks should be done in public places, when meeting people who do not live at home, at home or when treating patients with Covid-19.

“With the increasing obedience to wearing masks, the hope is that the number of transmission in the community can be reduced so that positive cases of Covid-19 can immediately drop to zero,” he said.

Reduce the risk of transmission

Achmad Yurianto, who was the General Director of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health, also repeatedly expressed the importance of wearing masks.

According to Yurianto, the risk of transmission of the virus will decrease when a person wears a mask.

When someone is a carrier of the virus and comes into close contact with other people without both wearing a mask, the chance of transmitting the virus is up to 100 percent.

“Secondly, people who are sick wear masks, while vulnerable groups do not wear masks, the potential for transmission reaches 70 percent,” Yuri was quoted as saying in a press release on the official website of the Ministry of Health. , on Tuesday (9/22/2020).

Also read: Government: Do not lower the mask to the chin, even when eating

Third, when sick people wear masks while healthy people don’t wear masks, the transmission rate is only 5 percent.

Fourth, if you both wear masks, the transmission potential is only 1.5 percent.

Masks are effective because transmission of the corona virus can occur through droplets or splashes of saliva when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes.