If your face mask has one, stop it immediately

Having this feature makes your EPP virtually useless to prevent the spread of COVID.


At this stage of the pandemic, the centers of the basic guidelines for the fight against disease and disease prevention (CDC) are quite clear: each should be social at a social distance of at least six feet in public, from Wash your hands regularly and wear a face mask whenever leave the house. And although there is really no complexity to the first two rules, yourFacial mask choice could put others in danger without you even realize.New research shows that if your face mask has a ventilation valve on it, it can easily propagate Covid. In fact, the experts warn that you should stop using these types of masks immediately. Read to find out why you should start this type of EPP and for more than one good face mask could be more important than ever, discoverThese states begin to leave again.

Research engineers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have recently developed a visualization of ways in which infected patients disseminate the new coronavirus when expiry. With special imaging technology and a mannequin head expiring droplets, scientists have seen that, while regular N95 masks completely stop the passage of droplets,N95 masks equipped with a fan valve Do nothing to stop propagation. In tests with masks with valves, the droplets have almost as far as possible in the tests where the manikin wasWithout any kind of face recovery at all.

"When you compare the videos side by side, the difference is striking,"Matthew RestmatesThe NIST research engineer who created visualization, said in a statement. "These videos show how the valves allow the air to leave the mask without filtering, which defeats the goal of the mask."

In conclusion, restess stays reiterated one of CDC's most often repeated reminders: "I do not wear mask to protect me. I wear it to protect my neighbor, because I could be asymptomatic and spread the virus without even Knowledge, "mentioned. "But if I'mWear a mask with a valve over, I do not help. "

In addition to avoiding these types of EPPs, you can do more to make the most of your mask. Read on how, and for more information on the signs of potential coronavirus infection, know thatIf all you drink like that, you can have Covid, say experts.

Read the original article onBetter life.

1
You should wash it more often.

hands washing cloth masks in bucket
Shutterstock / Pholly

The entire idea of ​​wearing a facial mask is to stay safe from coronavirus. But according to a meta-analysis published inBmj Open in October,wear a face coating that has not been washed At the end of the day, can cancel all your efforts by putting you in danger of exposure to the virus.

"Fabric masks and surgical masks should be considered" contaminated "after use"RAINA MACINTYRE, PhD, who led the study, said in a statement. "Unlike surgical masks, which are eliminated after use,Fabric masks are reused. Although it can be tempting to use the same mask for several days in a row, or give it a hand wash or a fast wiping, our research suggests that this increases the risk of contamination. "And for more than what is expected with the pandemic in the coming weeks,Here who will cause a covid push this month, say experts.

2
... but do not wash them with hard chemicals.

white hand putting three cloth face masks into washing machine
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Clean is a good thing when it comes to dealing with masks buttoo much Clean could also put you in a dangerous position. According to a report ofThe New York Times, you shouldNever use bleach When you wash your fabric masks, regardless of trying to disinfect them with something so notoriously powerful. This is because severe chemicals such as bleach of bleach and hydrogen can degrade fabric fibers over time, making them less effective in containing viral particles. And for more risk behavior in the middle of the pandemic, checkGo here every day doubles your chances of catching Covid, says CDC.

3
He should have three protective layers.

Face mask laters with thumbs up
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The skyrocketing demand of facial masks has led to thousands of companies entering the market and color their products online. Unfortunately, in the same way with masks with ventilation valves,masks that are made without enough layers will not do enough to protect the other particles that you exhale, according to a set of directives published by theAssociation of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). And for more information up-to-date on COVID,Sign up for our daily newsletter.

4
The bandanas work in a pinch, but they are not ideal.

man wears bandana over nose and mouth
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The AAMC guidelines also affirm that the bandanas and other folded fabric coatings are loosely offered the least protection, but are better than no facial masks. In fact, a June study of the University of Florida Atlantic (FAU) compared to different materials used to make homemade DIY or face blankets revealed that mannequinscovered by a bandana Simulation of a patient who always touches particles flying more than three feet.

"Loosely folded face masks and Bandana style coatings offer minimal stopping capacity for the smallest aerosolized respiratory droplets," concluded the scientists. And for more signs to be aware of the spread of the virus, know thatThis strange symptom can be the first sign you have COVID, the study says.

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