When appearing in any crowded area during the cold season or sensitive time “Corona virus” as today, we will see a scene quite common: Most people wear a face mask. Corona epidemic broke out, medical masks gradually became a “popular” item and soon sold out in many drugstores and stores. This is considered a self-protective behavior against pollution and bacteria in the surrounding environment. However, are all types of masks effective, let’s find out now.
The current disease situation
In December 2019, an outbreak of acute respiratory infections caused by a new strain of the Corona virus (nCoV) was discovered for the first time in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China. According to the current update from the Ministry of Health, the number of infected people has reached 11860 people in 30 provinces and cities of China, of which 259 people died. Not stopping there, the virus has spread to 26 other countries around the world. According to information from the Disease Surveillance System of Vietnam, the world has recorded 12024 cases with 259 deaths, 164 cases outside China. Among them: 19 cases in Thailand, Singapore 18, Japan 17, Hong Kong 13, Korea 12, Australia 12, Taiwan 10, … and Vietnam with 6 cases (2 father and son China (1 person has left),
On January 27, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) assessed the risk of nCoV very high in China (at the national level) and the risk was high at the regional and global level. During the press conference that took place near 3 a.m. on January 31, 2020 (Vietnam time) in Geneva (Switzerland), WHO officially announced the nCoV epidemic as an emergency public health event of global concern ( PHEIC). Therefore, each person needs to equip themselves with a personal mask, although it is not 100% preventable, but it is the most basic and simple method to contribute to limiting the spread of disease.
Good masks for effective disease prevention
N95 mask
This is rated as the best protective mask with almost 100% protection. They can prevent viruses from reaching over 95% of microparticles from 0.3 microns or less and preventing bacteria from reaching 100%. Besides, N95 can also prevent dust and pollen 100%. However, this mask will be more difficult for the user to breathe (if it is easy to breathe, it may be used the wrong way or buy the wrong product).
Surgical masks (medical masks)
This type is most recommended because of the 98% altitude protection that is easy to breathe, easier to wear than the N95 mask. They are layered, including a liquid membrane that retains respiration drops from the user’s breath, and is waterproof. Therefore, it is possible to prevent more than 95% of viruses and more than 80% of bacteria in the environment. In addition, the ability to prevent dust and pollen is also in medical masks with more than 80% for you.
FFP1 mask
This mask provides approximately 99% high protection. They are used in less dusty work environments, able to prevent viruses and bacteria by more than 95%, and filter at least 80% of particles up to 0.6 microns in size and limit exposure at workplaces do not exceed 4 times (OEL). In addition, they have more than 80% protection against dust and pollen. Therefore, FFP1 respirator is suitable for the medical, agricultural, construction and food industries.
This type is rated for intermediate protection (over 70%), with only 10% of the ability to prevent viruses and bacteria. Besides, masks can also prevent dust and pollen from the air by more than 50%. According to this parameter, carbon masks are less commonly used in the prevention of Corona viruses than in the above types. With the epidemic changing unpredictably today, each person needs to be well equipped with knowledge as well as properly implement disease prevention. Protecting yourself from the Wuhan virus has also played a part in protecting the community and society
