Researchers have even calculated the effectiveness of masks in controlling the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the beginning of the self-isolation regime, our overall mission has been to stay at home and thus contain the spread of the new coronavirus infection, COVID-19. Now, with the gradual exit from self-isolation and the transition to freer shopping and public transport, we have a new mission - to wear masks.
But do we know exactly why and what masks to wear? If you are feeling a little confused, then you are not alone. Much of the confusion around masks comes from the fact that they have two main functions. A mask can be worn to protect yourself from infection, or a mask can be worn to protect others from yourself if you are sick but do not know about it (the disease is symptomatic).
How do masks protect?
Protecting the mask wearer from infection is not an easy task. Here you will need medical respirator masks with a 3m marking. Moreover, you need to carefully put on and take them off - the material of the mask should fit as tightly as possible to the face. These are the so-called high protection masks. They protect those who wear them well, but at the same time, if the owner of the mask is sick, the virus freely escapes through the exhalation valve. That is why masks with a valve are recommended to be worn only by medical personnel who regularly pass tests for coronavirus.
But masks can also be worn to prevent the virus from spreading to other people, and this is their most important use if we are talking about preventing new waves of a pandemic. As the authors of the American magazine the Atlantic note, even a small decrease in the risk of infection leads us to a large decrease in mortality. Fortunately, blocking the transmission of the virus to the outside is much easier than not infecting a healthy person in an infected environment. Even a simple cloth mask can effectively block the transmission of the virus, the journal article notes.
Promotional video:
Why do health workers wear not only masks, but also glasses and protective suits?
The main route of spread of COVID-19 is in droplets that fly out of our noses and mouths, including when we speak, and not just when we cough or sneeze. Some of these droplets quickly evaporate, turning into very tiny particles. And this "steam" remains after a person has coughed or sneezed, and is also formed during normal conversation.
This is especially true for doctors and nurses who work with COVID-19 patients, because they are in such a “viral suspension” for days. Health care workers are also at risk during procedures such as intubation, when very small particles are released that can remain in the environment for several hours. This is why medical equipment is called “personal protective equipment,” or PPE. You need to put on PPE according to the strict rules of the order of items, you need to take care of both the size and fit, no gaps and gaps should remain.
So far, most of the research and discussion about masks has been aimed at maximizing the protection of healthcare workers from viruses entering the PPE. But there is also the opposite problem: the transfer of particles from the carrier to the outside world. And this question has been studied much less.
How effective are masks?
The good news is that it is relatively easy to cut off the transmission of the virus to exit. The Atlantic compares this to stopping the flow of a hose right at the source by turning off the faucet, compared to the incredibly difficult attempt to catch all the smallest droplets of water after we put the hose up and they fly everywhere.
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that even a cotton mask can reduce the number of viral particles from the mouth by 99 percent. Fewer viral particles in the environment means people are more likely to avoid infection. And even if they become infected, then a lower viral load gives hope for an easy course of the disease. It turns out that my mask protects you, your masks protect me, and if we wear them properly, it will be easier for all of us to get back to work, shopping, travel and even travel.
Mathematical modeling of the spread of the virus and a study of the effectiveness of wearing masks conducted by American scientists prove that if 80% of the population wears masks, and at the same time the effectiveness of the mask is 60% (that is, it is a cloth non-medical mask), this will be enough to stop the spread of the disease.
The study also found N95-branded fabric masks to be wearable. However, these masks have exhalation valves (to make them less stuffy) that release unfiltered air, so they only protect the wearer and not protect others from infection. That is, you need to be confident in your health or close the valve with duct tape or cloth.
Hong Kong has had only four confirmed deaths from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, despite its high population density, mass transportation, and proximity to Wuhan.
Which countries in the world are leaders in the use of masks?
Hong Kong has had only four confirmed deaths from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, despite its high population density, mass transportation, and proximity to Wuhan.
The Hong Kong health authorities consider the almost universal wearing of masks by their citizens to be a key factor in this success (polls show almost 100% voluntary adherence to these rules). Likewise, Taiwan ramped up production of masks in the early stages and distributed them to the public, prescribing them to be used in public transport and other public places. The country continues to operate without quarantine, schools have been open since late February, while the total death toll remains very low at six.
In the Czech Republic, masks were not used during the first outbreak, but after 18 March, masks in public became mandatory. In the first five days of April, the increase in new cases of infection was about 257 new cases per day (and about 9 deaths), but in the last five days of the month, the increase decreased to 120 new cases and 5 deaths per day. Of course, it cannot be argued that these successes were achieved only through the widespread use of masks, but they are encouraging.
Until a proven effective coronavirus vaccine is developed and applied universally, it is critical to find a safe way for everyone to get back to daily life. Yes, testing availability is growing, cutting-edge medical research is underway, but we can do our part to further control the pandemic. It is in our power to wear a mask, keep a distance, take care of our hygiene.
OKSANA NARALENKOVA