Know About Proper Usage, Disposal and Reuse Of Mask

There is no denial of the fact that the best way to stay safe from Covid-19 is wearing masks. This new safety device has become a part and parcel of our live and we are still adjusting to wear these. There are lot of questions revolving around the surgical masks; like, who should wear, how to wear and how long to wear the face masks. Let us try to get answers to few of these questions.

How to wear?

While we all know that a 2 ply surgical mask should cover the nose and mouth, it is still a difficult task to wear it properly. It is mandatory at most parts of the world to cover the mouth and nose when outdoors. Keep the below points in mind when wearing a face mask.

•         For easy wear, you can put it over the ears first, spread out and then shape to your nose.
•     Doctors suggest that the face mask should fit comfortably; there should not be any problem in breathing. A professionally made face mask makes breathing easy.

Who Should Wear?

Medical experts suggest that healthy people may not wear 3 ply surgical masks. These are generally meant for people suffering from cold and flu; so that they do not spread germs through their cough or nasal droplets. Medical professionals or people taking care of coronavirus patients are suggested to wear face masks. But now for safety reasons, everyone is seen to wear a face mask. Face masks are generally classified into 3 categories, based on the usage. These are-

•      Cloth Mask- For health individuals when they are outdoors.

·       N95 Respirator- These are advised for healthcare professionals.

·       Surgical Mask- These are for people taking care of patients suffering from Covid-19, cold and flu.

Is It reusable?

The used face masks should not transform into biological hazards. Germs can survive on used masks for hours. So, it is important to wash or dispose off the face mask as required.

·  Cloth masks- These are considered as reusable. After every use wash/ sterilize these face masks for utmost safety and effectiveness. Hang and air dry the masks before reuse.

·   N95 Respirators- These face masks should be discarded after performing aerosol generating procedures. Once these are exposed to organic fluids like saliva or blood, these should be disposed. Open it without touching the inside of the respirator. Place the mask in a plastic, paper or zip lock bag. Close the bag tightly and dispose in a biomedical waste bin.

·  Surgical masks- These are for one-time use. After every use you should dispose off the mask. Dispose the N95 respirator by folding it; it should look like a roll after being folded. Tie it and then wrap in a tissue paper or polythene bag. These are generally considered as medical waste and should be disposed in the yellow waste bag.

How To Use N95 for longer Time?

Think about using a N95 respirator for extended period of time only if there is any shortage of masks. The same mask can be used only by not removing the mask even once when visiting patients. Tests show that N95 masks can work effectively only for 8 continuous hours or by intermittent use.

So, now normal life is having a face mask when outdoors or visiting a patient suffering from cough, respiratory infections or fever. You can order high-end cloth masks, surgical masks or N95 respirators from Rhysley (www.rhysley.org) anywhere in India or across the world.