Question: At first there were almost no masks available and we took what we could get, but now there are many more for sale, so we tried several to see what we like. Besides the price, what should we consider?
Answer: As your question implies, your main consideration should be how well the face mask prevents the spread of COVID-19, which will depend in part on the material of the mask (multiple layers) and design (no valves or valves), how well it fits and whether you wear it properly or not, cover both your mouth and nose.
Health officials advise wearing masks to prevent potential infectious droplets from being sprayed on other people as the mask wearer coughs, sneezes, sings, cries, talks or otherwise exhales – this is known as source control. It is important with COVID-19 because the disease spreads easily, even from people who have zero symptoms and do not realize they are infected.
As for considerations, we’ll start with a kind of mask that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people should net must wear, namely any mask with an exhalation valve or valve.
“The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to help with source control. However, masks with one-way valves like vents can exhale air through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others. Therefore, CDC advises not to use masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent, ”says the agency on its website, 808ne.ws/cdcmask.
Another type of mask in the news lately is the neck gaiter, a stretchy tube of fabric that skiers often wear to keep their necks warm, and which can be pulled over the mouth and nose to serve as a face mask. to serve. Neck riders sought in popularity during the pandemic, even in warm climates, but a recent study cast doubt on their use. Further research, however, contradicts the initial findings. Finally, as with any canvas mask, it comes down to what the gaiter is made of and how well it fits. Read more at 808ne.ws/snopes.
As for homemade cloth masks, the CDC says they should be made of multiple layers of fabric, completely cover the nose and mouth, fit fit (no holes) without restriction, be secured with straps or ear loops, and machine can be washed and dried without changing shape. People who purchased their first reusable canvas masks in March may be able to substitute for replacements because they do not last forever.
As you mentioned, disposable “surgical masks” of non-medicine are also available at stores, after they were barely found in the pandemic. They differ in thickness and quality, so you may prefer to buy the smaller package size until you settle on a brand you like. This type of mask is designed to be used only once. We have had complaints about the pollution of the landscape, so here is a reminder to remove them properly.
Clear plastic face shields are no longer a substitute for face masks when it comes to source control, the CDC says, although they do protect the wearer’s eyes. Face shields could be better than nothing for people who cannot wear a face mask due to breathing or difficulties with other medical conditions, but “there is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control,” it states. .
Auwe
Auwe to the teenage boys who get on the bus with shirts pulled over their mouths and noses and then let go as soon as they are seated, out of sight of the driver. A ripped T-shirt is not a mask! This is dangerous for everyone else on the bus. Drivers should not leave these teens without a face mask, as required by the mayor’s order. I’m sorry to criticize teenage boys in particular, but they are the ones I see. – Daily rider
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