[ad_1]
Moisture fills the small gaps in the mask and the air is no longer leaking, it begins to leak through the gaps between the face and the mask.
“When the mask gets wet, the probability that the virus will escape and enter us increases. Researchers have shown that the filtration mechanisms of these specially designed products change if they get wet. Therefore, it is better to switch to a dry product, ”says D. Martuzevičius.
The news portal tv3.lt talks about D. Martuzevičius about whether wet masks can protect against the coronavirus, which masks should be chosen, how long they can be worn, and the scientist dispels rumors that exhaled CO2 is trapped by masks, which that supposedly represents a risk to human health.
During the winter, when walking outdoors, the masks get wet quite quickly. Do such masks still protect against coronavirus?
Hydration largely depends on the product we use. If we use a knitted product, soaking can stick the fibers. The efficiency of these products is not high; humidity can only make the situation worse.
The moisture in disposable medical masks does not work as strongly. There is a very dense non-woven fabric and moisture cannot change that structure so easily that holes appear and virus particles penetrate.
What happens? The humidity already fills those little holes. Then the air we exhale, which we must filter, is more difficult to pass through the fabric and penetrates through the spaces between the face and the mask, it no longer passes through the filter layer.
This reduces the overall effectiveness of the protection for the whole of society and for yourself, as the inhaled air will also try not to pass through the filter layer if the mask is very wet and will penetrate along the nose or sides.
If a disposable mask is completely damp and wet, it is really uncomfortable and we ourselves feel that it is becoming more difficult to breathe, so it is worth changing. Although a wet mask is better than no mask.
But if a few drops of rain have fallen or the mask has gotten a little wet during a longer stay outdoors, it is not the critical time when the mask suddenly becomes unusable for residents.
The choice of masks is wide, from disposable to cloth or respirator. What should you know when choosing a mask?
Most protect as much as they are now expected to protect. I always emphasize that most of the masks we wear are not personal protective equipment.
Respirators are personal protective equipment. Most of the public wears reusable so-called medical masks or woven masks.
This is not very reliable personal protective equipment. There is a certain amount of protection, such as doubling the chances of inhaling virus-sized particles. However, personal protection is relatively low. Anyone who wants great personal protection should choose a respirator.
Do those medical and knitted masks work in a way that collectively creates protection for the public? Yes, if all members of the public wear masks correctly, the chances of contracting the disease transmitted by this virus are reduced. When everyone wears it, an overall protective effectiveness is created that is close to the protective effectiveness of a respirator if worn by one person.
Do cloth masks work effectively or protect the public from coronavirus?
Point masks are a bit inferior, but when used together they work. They catch the big drops that we dig or excavate. But point masks are varied, and some of them are completely hollow, even large droplets are difficult to catch. Therefore, I would choose special disposable products.
Of course, those disposable masks that have a dense non-woven layer, in principle, work better. But in this case, for better or for worse, 10 or 20 percent, no longer makes much difference, since it must be noted that the mask is a help. People also have to keep their distances, not gather, maintain hygiene. So all this protection package should significantly reduce the risk.
From a scientific point of view, I would advise residents to wear disposable masks as they are designed to provide protection and filter out small particles. They are often tested, and even if they are not tested, your coat still performs well.
Of course, the number of disposable masks is huge and there are many environmental problems; it is a great burden on the environment. But in this case, it is important to control the pandemic, which is why these disposable products are extremely important.
I would also add that it is completely inappropriate to show style at this time. Unless you ask for special products that we really know are not only stylish but also effective. We see US presidents and candidates wearing masks with certain logos. I don’t think there is a place now to show off the style unless you are convinced that this product really works and protects the public.
Advise how long you can use disposable medical masks?
Wearing a mask one day, when, for example, a person goes by bus, stays at the office and returns by bus, nothing of the kind happens. The most important thing is not to touch the inside of the mask with your fingers, to leave it clean.
In the past, everyone used to say that you can’t touch your face or mask with your hands, but it’s not that scary. We see that the number of tangential infections is not that high. More infections when airborne transmission occurs indoors with large numbers of poorly ventilated people.
We really shouldn’t throw these products away in one go because they are effective enough. There is no need to be afraid to wear a mask all day. If we put and use an hour, it can be put back the next day because it will work as expected. As a personal protection device it is not very good, but as the creation of a common protective shield when everyone uses it, it is one of the most effective measures.
How to put on and take off the mask correctly?
The inner side that we put on the face should be touched as little as possible. Try to grab the edges and the laces. If the laces are too loose, tie them to fit more closely to your face. If it is bent, it should be unfolded and pressed well around the face, and especially in the nasal area. We must try to close the roads as much as possible so that it does not pass through the sides, but passes through the filter cloth.
If you plan to put the product on for the second or third time, it is better to leave it behind the strings and fold it, clean it, so that the inside is as dirty as possible, put it in a bag or hang it clean somewhere.
Some residents spread rumors that wearing masks may pose a risk to human health, that exhaled CO2 is trapped by the masks, and carbon dioxide poisoning may occur. What do scientists say?
The accumulation of CO2 in the mask is relevant for professionals who wear respirators that fit very well to the face and remain with it for a long time. One of the parameters in the certification of respirators is that the accumulation of CO2 must not exceed a certain value.
Medical Masks That Don’t Fit The Face As Well – There is no problem with CO2 build-up, because everything is too hollow for CO2 to build up on the face.
There really is no risk. It is gratifying that the public is interested, but I would also suggest looking at a problem such as CO2 accumulation in non-ventilated rooms. Here’s a bigger problem, but rarely does anyone look for it.
Follow your doctor’s advice on how to use the mask:
[ad_2]
