Can face masks really help in slowing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19)? Yes!
Face masks, when combined with other preventive measures such as maintaining social distance, frequently hand-washing, and getting vaccinated, can help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends only fabric masks for the general public. If you have not been fully vaccinated, then you should continue to wear masks in indoor and outdoor places where there are chances of high risk of COVID-19 transmission. CDC says that N95 masks should be utilized by healthcare providers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends medical masks for health care workers or for anyone who is suffering from COVID-19.
How Do Different Types of Masks Work?
- Medical masks – Medical masks are also referred to as surgical masks. These are loose fitting and can be easily disposed of. Medical masks protect the wearer from contact with sprays or droplets that may contain germs. A medical mask also helps in filtering out large particles which are present in the air when you breathe in.
To make your medical mask more form-fitting, you can just knot the ear loops where they are attached to the mask. Just fold and tuck the unneeded material of the mask under the edges.
- N95 masks – N95 masks offer more protection than medical masks and are considered a type of respirators. The N95 mask filters out both large and small particles when you inhale.
The N95 masks were in short supply, but the CDC has recommended that these masks should be reserved for health care providers. Did you know that health care providers are trained and must pass a fit test before using an N95 mask! Like surgical masks, N95 masks can also be disposed of. However, scientists are working on ways to disinfect and reuse them.
There are some N95 masks which have halves that make them easier to breathe through. Unfortunately, N95 masks don’t filter the air that you breathe out. For this reason, N95 masks have been banned at some places.
- Cloth masks – A cloth mask traps respiratory droplets that are released when you talk, cough or sneeze. A cloth mask also protects you from inhaling the droplets released by others.
Cloth masks are made up of multiple layers of cotton, and these layers will stop more droplets from getting inside your mask.
How Effective Is Your Mask?
Cloth and medical masks effectiveness can be enhanced by ensuring that the masks are fitting well on the contours of your face, thus preventing leakage of air around the masks’ edges.
Remember that your mask should snug over your nose, mouth and chin, with no gaps. When you are breathing out, you should feel warm air coming through the front of your mask, and you should not feel the air coming out from the edges under the mask.
Masks that have a bendable nose strip prevents air from leaking out from the top of your mask.
Some people also consider wearing a disposable mask under a cloth mask. In that case, they should ensure that the cloth mask is pressing the edges of the disposable mask and not of the face.
Your mask will protect you based on how properly you are using them, cleaning the masks, and how well you take off the masks.
Follow these steps while putting and removing your mask:
- Sanitize your hands before and after wearing your mask.
- Ensure that your mask is covering your mouth, nose and chin.
- Use ear loops or tie the mask behind your head. Make sure it is snug.
- Ensure that you are not touching your mask while wearing it.
- If you have accidentally touched it, then either wash or sanitize your hands.
- If your mask becomes dirty or wet, then switch to a better and cleaner one. You can either throw away the mask by sealing it in a cover or wash it.
- Untie the mask or remove the ear loops without touching the front side of the mask.
- Remember to wash your hands immediately after removing the mask.
- Regularly wash your masks in a washing machine or by hand.
- Also, don’t forget these precautions:
- Don’t try to put your masks on anyone who is having difficulty in breathing or is unconscious.
- Do not put masks on children below 2 years of age.
- As a substitute for physical distancing, don’t use a face mask.
Do I Still Need To Wear a Face Mask, Even After I am Vaccinated?
You are considered fully vaccinated only 2 weeks after you got a second dose of vaccination. Whether you are travelling by car, plane, bus, train, or any other form of public transportation, it is advisable to wear a mask, irrespective of your vaccination.