By Ain Nafisya
Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a chronic illness caused by a novel coronavirus. Since the spread of the new coronavirus, being a global health emergency, everyone is required to partake in the preventative measures such as washing and sanitizing your hands regularly, practicing social distancing, wearing face masks properly and many more.
However, have you ever wondered how many people are still wondering whether they are wearing their masks the right way? Choosing the right masks is also important as we are focusing on stopping the prevalence of Covid-19 and not just wearing it as a mere accessory.
How to Choose the Correct Mask?
Initially, as proclaimed by World Health Organisation (WHO) that it was of no benefits for the general public to use wear masks in public. However, the prevalence of Covid-19 globally makes wearing face masks as increasingly recommended along with other measures like hand-washing and social distancing. Do we need to wear a high-spec respirator like the FFP2 or N95? No, the general public would not need it unless you work as a frontline health worker. Authorities have recommended the general public to either acquire or make their own fabric face coverings. In spite of these recommendations, the WHO has expressed some doubts regarding to what extent can the protection of the face masks offer. Regardless of that, wearing face masks could cease an unknowingly infected person from spreading the virus.
This bit of information is crucial as there is a significant minority of people who are asymptomatic of Covid-19. They do not show symptoms thus making it hard for us to track which strangers could possibly have been infected. Therefore, wearing face masks can at least stop the virus from being silently passed to others. Everyone who has the access to internet is in no shortage of tutorials in making their own masks. You can always look up for online tutorials for inspirations. A highly recommended website in making a no-sew mask by cutting up a T-shirt is the United States Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) website.
There are also different alternatives taken by some countries like implementing manufacturing standards. Even the homemade masks are required to follow the standards recommended by the authorities. For example, France requires its general public to wear masks that are at least two layers of flexible and breathable. There should not be any alterations of the masks (e.g. altering to fit the shape of the mouth, nose and chin) as it can possibly cause leakage.
The masks must be manufactured following either a “duckbill” or “pleated” with the capability of filtering between 70 to 90 per cent of particles expelled by the wearer. However, young infants are not recommended to wear masks as they can be at greater risks of suffocation. The regulations of age limits in wearing masks varies for different countries.
How to Wear it
The first reminder that we should remember is to not neglect other key virus avoidance measures like hand-washing and social distancing. People sometimes absent-mindedly think they are safe as soon as they put on the face mask ignoring other measures that should be practiced simultaneously. The individuals should wash their hands before putting on the face mask. Subsequently, one must hold the mask by its string and fasten it in place. Malaysians commonly use the surgical type masks which come with metal bar that goes over the bridge of the nose. One must make sure that it is properly fitted to the face with no slippage that would cause irritation and temptation to touch the face due to the discomfort. The single-use surgical masks must be discarded after a maximum of a few hours of usage especially if there is any damage.
To remove, you must wash your hands beforehand and only hold it by the fasteners. This is to avoid from touching the contaminated area of the mask. Next, wash your hands thoroughly after finished removing.
You should learn how to use any public health toolbox properly although it might not seem that big of a deal to some people. Being nonchalant to the measures that should be practiced by everyone can potentially harm not just the individual but others from the surroundings as well.
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