By AC Masongsong
Masks weren’t really a thing in the Philippines before—but with the sudden onset of the COVID-19 virus, masks became a necessity in our daily lives. According to the World Health Organization, masks can suppress the transmission of the virus between individuals so health and safety protocols include mandatory wearing of face masks when going outdoors. This resulted in high demand for masks in the market—the supply eventually soared and resulted in different options and types of masks that buyers can choose from.
Common types of masks
There are various types of masks available in the market. These masks differ from the material used and their effectiveness. It is important to have enough knowledge about masks because aside from the fact that you can assess which one is the most effective, you can also avoid buying masks that are fake and impractical.
Medical masks
The most common mask in the market is medical masks—which are also known as surgical masks. According to the WHO, medical masks are composed of three layers of synthetic nonwoven materials and have filtration layers stuffed in the middle. A 2013 study published in Aerosol Science and Technology stated that surgical masks can filter out about 60% of the small particles that we inhale.
Do’s and don’ts
Buy medical masks with description specifying that it is composed of multiple layers of non-woven material and has a nose wire. Do not reuse medical masks, dispose them after use since these are only designed to be worn once only.
Cloth masks
These masks are what we often see on the sidewalks with attention-grabbing prints. Some are even making their own cloth masks at home for their own or for business purposes. However, cloth masks should meet the criteria of the national performance standards to be deemed as safe and practical to use. According to Steffen Eikenberry, a postdoctoral scholar at Arizona State University who had studied the effectiveness of masks, high-quality cloth masks can be 80-90% effective.
Do’s and don’ts
When buying or making cloth masks, ensure that there are three layers of tightly woven fabric. Consider the breathability, filtration, and fit of the cloth mask. Cloth masks should block the light when held up to a light source to prove that the multiple layers are tightly woven. Make sure that the masks fit your face perfectly particularly over your nose, chin, and cheeks because air will penetrate into those edges rather than being filtered by the fabric.
Respirators (N95)
N95 has the highest effectiveness out of all the masks that were mentioned. It can filter out about 95% of the particles that individuals inhale. These are used for specific and certain activities and procedures because of their tightly fitted component—that is why healthcare workers also use these masks.
Do’s and don'ts
Do not wear a loose-fitting N95 because it won’t have the same effect as what was mentioned by studies. Make sure to buy original and not counterfeited N95 masks—they should be registered and approved by the national government.
Be smart, be well-informed
Choose to be smart and not ignorant because knowledge is one of the best tools that we can use to fight off this invisible virus. Being well-informed will give you the leverage since you can use it to your own advantage to prevent possible infection and transmission from others. These can help at curbing the spread of the virus—eventually lighting up the hope that sooner or later, everything can go back to normal once again.
Photo Source: Evergeen Community
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