What Kind of Mask Can Prevent Epidemic?

After the outbreak of the new coronavirus infection, many people choose to wear masks to go out. It seems simple to wear masks, but are you really, right? In fact, there is still a lot of knowledge, what kind of masks can prevent infection? How to wear a mask correctly? Before you put on a mask, you must know!

What are the common types of masks? Common masks include the following: ordinary cotton masks, disposable non-woven mask(such as medical-surgical masks), and KN95 disposable masks.

Disposable masks (medical-surgical masks) can prevent respiratory infections to a certain extent, but cannot prevent haze.

The medical-surgical mask has three layers, from the outside to the inside are the waterproof layer, the filter layer, and the comfort layer. The comfort layer is a layer of non-woven fabric. When wearing, the white non-woven fabric faces inward, the blue waterproof layer faces outward, and the side with the metal sheet faces up. Don't wear it. The rubber band hangs on both ears and pinches the metal sheet Fit the nose and smooth the cheeks so that there is no gap between the mask and the face. When buying, you should choose a mask that clearly states "Medical-surgical mask" on the outer packaging.

N95 masks can effectively prevent respiratory infections and prevent haze. The N95 mask is one of 9 anti-particulate masks certified by NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). "N" means not suitable for oily particles (oil fumes produced by cooking are oily particles, and the droplets generated by people talking or coughing are not oily); "95" refers to filtering under the test conditions specified in the NIOSH The efficiency reaches 95%. N95 is not a specific product name. As long as it conforms to the N95 standard and has passed the NIOSH review, the product can be called "N95 mask". The biggest feature of the N95 mask is that it can prevent the spread of droplets caused by patients' body fluids or blood splashes. The size of the droplets is 1 to 5 microns in diameter. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stipulates that for medical institutions, medical personnel exposed to tuberculosis bacteria must wear masks above the N95 standard. Compared with medical surgical masks, N95 masks are better sealed. When choosing an N95 mask, try to choose an N95 mask without a breathing valve.

Kn95 Disposable Mask

Ordinary cotton masks may be made of cotton, gauze, wool, canvas, and velvet. The material itself is not dense enough to prevent infection.

What type of mask to wear?

For the purpose of self-protection and reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections, it is okay to wear a medical-surgical mask or N95 mask. If you are going to a general open-air public place and are not in contact with the patient, you can choose to wear a medical-surgical mask without overprotection, but if you will contact a patient suspected of respiratory infection, you should wear an N95 mask.