Arrival in Ecuador a The British variation of covid-19 It targeted both the medical staff in the country and the general public.
Although the arrival of the first doses of vaccine pfizer means relief for front-line health workers, epidemic it continues in one of its most difficult moments in some parts of the country.
It is therefore necessary – now more than ever – to maintain the practices that in 2020 prevented thousands of people contagion: the use the mask, constant hand washing and the respective biosecurity and social distancing protocols.
Ideal face masks to avoid infection
Now, there are many types of masks and today they are sold right on the street. But who are they the mask most useful to avoid infection with coronavirus?
In August 2020, researchers at Duke University has developed a simple and inexpensive optical device that makes it possible to measure the blocking capacity of a mask respiratory drops which infects covid-19, making them visible through Laser light and count them by a computerized algorithm.
During essays from this again device, it has been confirmed that when people talk, they expel the drops, so that coronavirus disease can be transmitted by talking, without coughing or sneezing, according to the doctor Eric Westman both physically and chemically Martin Fischer, co-authors of this research.
Experts have verified with this method that the best facial coatings are N95 masksof hospital quality, without values, used by health workers and that polypropylene or surgical masks work well for blocking drip emissions.
In trying this Measuring device, using laser technology, different commonly available masks were compared and it was found that some models offer a performance which is close to that of standard surgical masks, while some versions of alternative or homemade masks offer very little protection.
What about homemade masks?
In their essays, Fischer and Westman confirmed this technically simple and inexpensive provides visual evidence of effectiveness masks to reduce drip emissions during normal use.
In turn, handmade cotton faces “provided good coverage, eliminating a substantial amount of aerosol, that is PARTICLE tiny suspended in the air, produced during normal speech, “according to Duke.
What does the WHO say?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new ones recommendation about use protective masks during the covid-19 pandemic, which, among other things, advises the use of those who have VALVES, both among health personnel and in the general population.
In the new guide recommendation It is pointed out that the user of this type of mask may exhale insufficient filtered air. WHICH continues to recommend the use of it to all health personnel medical masks (those common in operating rooms, for example) in areas with a lower risk of airborne contagion (by aerosols) and in those with a higher protection (N95, FFP2, FFP3) in higher risk areas, for example in patient care areas with covid-19.
For the general public, in the fields spread in the community of coronavirus, WHO recommends the use of non – medical masks (for example, those of screen) in indoor spaces, such as shops, offices or schools, if a physical distance at least one meter between those present. Medical masks are mainly recommended for at-risk groups, such as the elderly and people with chronic lung disease, cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular problems, in contexts where a physical distance of at least one meter cannot be guaranteed.
The use of medical masks is also recommended at all times for caregivers and others who share space with psuspected or confirmed covid-19 patients.
WHO in the end does not recommend the use of masks for children under five years of age, While in those between the ages of six and eleven, a decision must be made taking into account different factors (transmission of the virus in the community, children’s ability to wear a mask, social and cultural environment, etc.).
No matter what mask you use, if you misuse it, you are not protecting yourself
None of this is useful if the citizen misuses the mask: without covering his nose or wearing it. maxillary. You also need to make sure that the mask goes straight from the packaging to the face; you must not touch the surface of the mask with your hands.
You don’t have to do anything that affects you sterilization of the mask, such as smoking or laying on surfaces that were not designed for it. On the other hand, if you use a washable mask, you must be careful to wash it constantly. Remember this a dirty mask is a useless mask.
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