The Truth Behind Face Masks - Can They Really Protect You

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In these troubled times, when we are overwhelmed with various sorts of information, we are not sure anymore what is the right type of advice that we should listen to about masks. Are they effective or not and can they slow down the spread of COVID-19? Those are questions that we may ask ourselves. We will discuss their efficiency and are they practical when it comes to protecting our well being. 

WHO

According to the World Health Organization, masks should be used as a part of a strategy. The idea is to suppress the transmission and save lives by following their guidelines. Since wearing masks alone is not enough, people should maintain a physical distance of a minimum one meter or around three feet from others, should frequently wash their hands, and avoid touching their faces and the outside of the mask. WHO is encouraging research and constantly studying the science of masks. 

They are looking into types of fabrics, their composition, and the number of layers the masks have. A 3 ply collection mask has three layers and is made out of melt-blown polymer, known as

polypropylene that is being placed between the non-woven fabric. So, their research implies that they are trying to determine what masks are the most efficient.

How Can They Protect Me?

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the WHO, included face masks in their recommendation for sowing the spread of the virus. The CDC recommends cloth face masks for the public, not the surgical one, while N95 masks are needed by healthcare workers. We are about to cover the question "Are they any different?".

Surgical Masks

Another name for it is a medical mask. It is loose fitting and disposable. The most common material that is used for its production in a non-woven fabric that is created by using a melt blowing process. It protects the wearer's nose and mouth from contact with droplets that can potentially be carriers of germs. It filters out large particles that are in the air. The surgical mask protects others from you, in case you are the carrier, by reducing the exposure to saliva and respiratory secretions. 

N95

The N95 mask has more defense than a surgical mask in a sense. They are made out of synthetic plastic fibers. These fibers are comparable to those that can be found in polyester shirts. It is a type of respirator and it can filter out small and large specs when the wearer inhales. It is designed, as the name would imply, to block out ninety-five percent of tiny particles. Some of them may have valves. That enables the person to breathe easily through them. When the wearer of the N95 mask exhales, the air that comes out is unfiltered.

Cloth Masks

The function of a cloth mask is to trap droplets that are being released during a conversation or sneezing and coughing. In case you want to make your cloth masks, use tightly woven cotton. For example a cotton sheet or a quilting fabric o. The T-shirt material is not preferable but can work in a pinch. By wearing a cloth mask, it can help reduce the extension of the virus by people that are unaware of having COVID-19.

We have learned that using a mask is more than useful in this day and age. We should all take accountability and think about other people's health as much as we do about our own.

By having them always with us when we are out and by following other precautionary measures, we will come to a point that they will not be needed anymore. We should all be patient for a while even though it may be a struggle and only good things will follow.