Many people are wondering about how to choose an appropriate mask to protect themselves from coronavirus infection. Especially with many people using cloth masks as an alternative for medical face masks, questions remain about what type of mask is best.
Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, professor of medical microbiology and immunology at Minya Faculty of Medicine, said that a medical face mask is the best and most appropriate type of mask because it is anti-viral.
In case a medical mask is not affordable, however, a paper mask can be used instead, provided that it is placed over the nose and mouth. Used masks can be disposed of by burning them, he added.
Ibrahim said that medical masks should conform to standard specifications, adding that there are several types of medical masks.
The most protective type — the N95 mask — is for use by medical professionals, and is not necessary for ordinary people.
The second type — which is the most prevalent in the market — is the surgical mask. This type prevents the transmission of most microbes and viruses due to the mask’s small pore-size.
According to the World Health Organization, the cornovirus can be transmitted via respiratory droplets that are produced when a person coughs, sneezes, sings, or speaks, if their particles range between five and 10 micrometers, Ibrahim added.
A medical mask is sufficient to protect against respiratory droplets if its outer area contains antimicrobial and anti-virus material, he said.
Ibrahim said that cloth masks may be completely unhelpful in some cases, as they may contain microbes, thus turning them into a means of infection.
Disposable masks should be used only once, for a period between four and six hours, and should not to be touched after being worn.
Cloth masks must be washed with every use, and should only be used by one person. Ironing a cloth mask before use is also recommended. However, cloth masks are not efficient for dealing with coronavirus patients, something that requires medical masks.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
