Many people seek to buy face masks to protect their bodies from the rapid spread of the coronavirus. The most sold and sought-after mask is the N95 face masks. Many people believe that this type of face mask is tight enough to prevent secretions from spreading through contact with a suspected person or an area of epidemiological exposure.
However, the Ministry of Health advises that people outside the community can use cloth masks (washed after each use) or normal medical masks (only used once and then discarded) for good prevention.
N95 respirators are recommended for those who directly care for and treat corona-infected patients or those entering a new or suspected outbreak.
1. Learn about the n95 respirator
N95 respirators filter better than medical masks
There are two main types of medical masks that are 3 layers (Surgical masks); N95 respirator (with and without breathing valve). Depending on the purpose of use we use them each in different environments, different ages.
Explanation for the N95 standard is as follows:
- The letter “N” stands for Not Resistant to Oil
- The significant number 95 filters 95% of particles up to 0.3μm in size.
- 0.3μm is a unit of measurement corresponding to the size of coronavirus and bacteria or dust so small to invisible.
Thus, N95 respirator filters better than medical masks. However, wearing a N95 face mask must be worn snugly, tightly to the face to achieve the desired effect. This is the advantage and also the disadvantage, while the medical masks on both sides are open.
2. Can N95 face mask protect you from Coronavirus?
N95 face mask filter better than normal medical mask should it work to prevent coronavirus infection effectively? Not sure yet.
Most important of all, the virus in the air is usually not alone, but in the tiny secretory particles in the mucus. Especially when the sick person sneezes or coughs mucus that will stick.
The size of these particles is larger, so both types of masks above can prevent this secretion. Besides, the advantage of the N95’s virus filtering ability is not too high as everyone praises.
Wear an N95 face mask properly and there is no gap between the mask and the skin of the face
N95 is more tight, so it can help limit the inhalation of virus-containing water particles in the air? This is true but only when wearing the N95 face mask correctly and without any gaps between the mask and the face skin.
Therefore, the N95 respirator is about 10-20% more likely to prevent infection than medical masks (in research with seasonal influenza virus). If you know how to combine hand washing with antibacterial soap properly, the new disease prevention ability increases by 30%.
3. Who should wear a face mask?
In the current widespread flu situation, it is not only necessary to wear a mask around the sick. Everyone should use masks (not necessarily N95) to protect themselves.
When a person is infected, each cough or sneeze will spread tens of thousands of viruses into the air. If you don’t wear a mask, you are at a very high risk of infection.
Along with that, healthy people who are not infected without wearing a mask when entering a high-risk environment will be unavoidable.
Wearing a mask helps prevent secretions such as saliva from splashing into the face or into the surrounding air when the sick person coughs.
4. Who is at high risk of infection?
- Caregivers, in direct contact with the infected person.
- People working in the environment can be exposed to the virus through the respiratory tract, epidemic areas.
- People traveling, living in an enclosed space.
- Crowds in the epidemic zone.
In fact, there is no type of mask that 100% blocks the coronavirus. N95 respirators should be used in high-risk environments. However, without the N95, medical masks are still a good choice. Also, remember to wash your hands often.
The N95 face masks is quite expensive, but not so that you can reuse. Should only be used for a day and then discarded. Reusing a mask as if you are not preventing the disease but cultivating the virus, the higher your risk of infection.
Use the mask only once-do not reuse repeatedly
5. How to wear the correct face mask
With conventional canvas you should pay attention
- Cover the nose and mouth when wearing.
- Never touch the inside of the mask when wearing.
- When removing, should only be held in the straps, similar to wearing
- Rinse the mask with soap every day for re-use.
For regular medical masks, need
- Wear waterproof blue face, white face inside, aluminum clamp facing upwards.
- Still cover both the nose and the mouth.
- Never touch the inside of the mask when wearing.
- When removing, should only be held in straps, similar to wearing and put in trash, cover thoroughly.
