Most effective face masks during the covid-19 pandemic
To understand what the most effective masks are against COVID-19, you have to know how they work. The goal of the mask is to prevent droplets and particles produced by potential carriers from entering your body. This happens naturally, through conversation, coughing, and sneezing.
Sometimes, you may see people wearing goggles or face shields. This is to protect their eyes because it’s a potential access point for the virus. But of course, the nose and mouth are significant concerns because they provide larger access points to anything in the atmosphere.
COVID-19 particles can be as small as 120 nm (nanometers), so the best masks would filter your air up to this size. Here are the most effective face masks.
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Is Face mask effective against the covid-19 spread?
One study found that wearing a face mask significantly reduced the number of viruses exhaled by an infected individual, and it did not entirely prevent transmission. In this experiment, one subject was asked to cough into a mask worn by another subject. The other person then tested positive for the virus even though they never coughed directly on anyone else or touched any objects that were contaminated with the virus. Researchers still aren’t sure how many people may need to be nearby (within 6 meters) for the virus to spread effectively. However, wear and tear over time reduces its effectiveness, so younger individuals are at greater risk than older ones because their immune systems have stronger defenses against viral infections. Most of the EU countries decided to use ‘face masks’ against the pandemic and virus spread. Although many countries don’t make it mandatory to wear, they are still advised as one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
Types of face masks
Medical Grade N95
This is the most effective face mask to protect against COVID-19. It filters air up to 100 nm, so it can prevent even the tiniest molecule containing the virus from entering your respiratory system. Other components in the air, like oxygen and carbon dioxide, are much smaller. However, they can pass through the N95 face mask with ease.
An important thing to note here, however, is that the N95 face mask is medical grade. Unfortunately, there have been shortages of this mask in the public market because healthcare workers who interact directly with COVID-19 patients need them the most. Therefore, it’s best to leave these masks to the professionals right now.
Surgical Masks
This is the next best option when protecting yourself against the COVID-19 pandemic. These face masks are looser and don’t form a seal around your nose and mouth like the N95 masks, but they are made of similar medical-grade materials. For example, surgical face masks are often made of cotton and polypropylene, so they filter air down to the nanometer.
However, these face masks have also experienced a shortage in recent months and should be left to healthcare workers whenever possible. But if you have them available to you, they do provide excellent protection.
Cotton Face Masks
These face masks are widely available to the public through various vendors, so you shouldn’t have any issues accessing them. They provide excellent protection against droplets and particles, as well as smaller molecules as well. Cotton face masks offer the best protection when they are double-layered, so if you’re purchasing one, you should consider those with multiple layers.
Unlike surgical face masks, you’ll be unlikely to find ones that have medical-grade materials but make no mistake, and cotton face masks are more than adequate for day-to-day protection.
DIY Masks
These sorts of masks come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the materials and equipment you have available to you. In areas where it is very difficult to get a face mask, DIY masks are your best option, and they still provide excellent protection when made correctly.
DIY masks can be made using a folded cloth, like a t-shirt or large handkerchief, fastened to your ears using rubber bands or thin cords. They can also be sown using fabric around your house. Like pre-made cotton face masks, it is essential to remember that doubling the layers of your mask provides the most protection.
Watch Top YouTuber's 5 minute guide on how to create DIY (Do It Yourself) Face Mask easily!