The arrival in Ecuador of the British variation of covid-19 has concerned both medical staff in the country and the general public.
Although the arrival of the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine means relief for front – line health workers, the epidemic it continues in one of its most difficult moments in some localities of country.
Therefore, it is necessary – now more than ever – to maintain the practices that during 2020 avoided thousands of contagion: The use of mask, The constant washing of hands and the respective protocols of biosecurity and social distancing.
The mouthpieces ideal to avoid the contagion
However, there are many types of masks and for now they are even sold on the street. But what are the mouthpieces more useful to prevent infection coronavirus?
In August 2020, researchers from the Duke University they developed a simple and economical optical device that measures the ability of a mask to block the respiratory drops which entrust the covid-19, by making them visible by means of laser light and count them using a computer algorithm.
during the essays of this new device, It was confirmed that when people talk, it expels droplets, so that coronavirus disease can be transmitted when speaking, without coughing or sneezing, according to the doctor Eric Westman and the physical and chemical Martin Fischer, Co-authors of this research.
Experts checked with this method that the best facial covers are the N95 masks, Valve-free, hospital-grade, used by health care workers, and that surgical or polypropylene masks also work well to block droplet emissions.
In the essays of this one measuring device, using laser technology, different commonly available masks were compared and it was observed 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 that this technique simple and low cost provides a visual proof of the effectiveness of the masks to reduce small droplet emissions during normal use.
For their part, handmade cotton face covers “provided good coverage, eliminating a substantial amount of aerosol, That is, the particles tiny suspended in the air, produced during normal speech, “according to Duke.
What does the WHO say?
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued news recommendations on the use of protective masks during the covid-19 pandemic, which among other things discourages the use of those they have valves, Both among health personnel and in the general population.
In the new guide to recommendations it is stressed that the user of such masks could exhale insufficiently filtered air. the WHO continues to recommend to all health personnel the use of medical masks (Common in operating rooms, for example) in areas with a lower risk of airborne infection (by aerosols) and those with greater protection (N95, FFP2, FFP3) In areas of higher risk, for example areas of care for patients with covid-19.
For the general public, in areas of community transmission of coronavirus, the WHO recommends the use of non-medical masks (for example, those of screen) In indoor areas such as shops, offices or schools, if one cannot be guaranteed physical distance of at least one meter among those present. Medical masks are primarily recommended for at-risk groups such as older adults and people with chronic lung disease, cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular problems, in contexts where the physical distance of at least one meter cannot be guaranteed.
It is also recommended to use medical masks at all times to caregivers and other people who share space with psuspicious or confirmed covid-19 agents.
The WHO finally does not recommend the use of masks on children under five, while in those aged six to eleven it must be decided taking into account different factors (transmission of viruses in the community, children’s ability to wear the mask, social and cultural environment, etc.).
No matter what mask you wear, if you misuse it, you are not protecting yourself
But none of this is useful if the citizen misuses the mask: without covering his nose or wearing it on his face. jaw. It must also be ensured that the mouthpiece goes straight from its presence to its face; you should not touch the surface of the mask with your hands.
You must not do anything that affects the sterilization of the mask, such as smoking or placing it on surfaces that have not been designed for it. On the other hand, if you use a washable mask, you have to take care of washing yourself constantly. Don’t forget that a dirty mask is a useless mask.
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