Covid-19 is a big challenge to society today. It has spread the world over in the community. In India also the situation is alarming. It will further spread among society in the coming month like anything as per reference to ICMR. There is no vaccine available world over till now. Only our precautions can save ourselves. As we know that corona is a viral infection that spread through transmission of respiratory droplets of infectious persons and his contact. The droplet particles are >5-10 µm. It shows that coronavirus particle size is heavier as compared to some other species of virus.
The best way to protect viruses in the respiratory tract is the use of masks. The use of the medical mask is an acceptable option in case of shortages of respirators (N95, FFP2 or FFP3)
“While having a fabric facemask over your face can help, experts have recommended the inclusion of a filter in the middle of the fabric to help catch any particles properly.
According to a report in the Huffington Post, filter materials like HEPA and polypropylene should be placed between two layers of fabric like cotton, silk, or nylon when the masks are being produced. Using the filter will ensure that all air particles are filtered out effectively while the fabric makes sure that there is no breathing in the filter materials.
“The gold standard for filters made of household items for your homemade mask is HEPA vacuum bags. You have to make sure they are made of polypropylene, and not with fiberglass.” Polypropylene non-woven fibers (used in non-shiny reusable fabric grocery bags, tote bags, and wine bags) also make adequate filter fabrics.
“This is the same material used in N95 masks, although the thickness and weave are different,”
The Union health ministry seconds this and has issued guidelines saying that those who are not sick could use homemade face masks. “It is suggested that such people who are not suffering from medical conditions or having breathing difficulties may use the handmade reusable face cover, particularly when they step out of their house. This will help in protecting the community at large,” NDTV quoted the advisory as saying.
The best type of filter recommended is HEPA vacuum bags made of polypropylene are the “gold standard,” face mask
They can be washed in a machine with laundry soap or in a sink. This is why it is important that the filter used in the mask can either be washed or removed and replaced.
In India elderly patient feels it is very difficult to live the mask. The ideal choice is a homemade mask that can protect them up to some extend.
Many asthmatic patient and patient on aerosols feels suffocated when use mask. It is better to avoid going out at this crucial moment if not necessary.
Mask is a preventive tool for all of us to save our life. The protection is based on the quality of mask in terms of filtration of particles
To sum up, the use of MASK is an integral part of human life today whether it,s N95, N99,3 PLY surgical, disposable or homemade mask.
