Face Masks

What are masks for and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

The primary purpose of the mask is to prevent the spread of microorganisms from you to others - the wearer therefore protects other people from himself. Your personal protection from disease is secondary and only partial. The mask’s filtering capabilities also aren’t perfect. When worn outdoors, it will protect you from high aerosol concentrations and infected droplets, but it won’t help if you stay in contact with an infected person for a long time. On that note, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a face mask?

Basic materials – paper and cloth masks

When buying masks, you will usually see two types of materials – paper or non-woven fabric. Never wash disposable masks and always discard them after use. Cloth masks are reusable if you boil and then iron the fabric.

Disposable paper masks

Paper masks are for single use only. The main purpose of this protective device is to protect the environment from aerosol spreading. In addition, disposable masks last only a few hours, then you must throw them away. This disposable category includes surgical masks.

What is an aerosol? It is a suspension of small liquid or solid particles in air or another gas that are produced by coughing and sneezing. These microdroplets become infectious if the person is infected.

Nanofibre fabric captures microorganisms and can be used repeatedly – though there is one downside

Nanofiber masks use carbon membranes to capture a high percentage of odours, viruses, and bacteria. These fibers form an additional protective barrier. If the mask contains silver or copper nanoparticles, the microorganisms have trouble surviving. Silver has a general antibacterial effect, while copper is coronavirus unfriendly - more specifically, the viral particles die after about 4 hours. Nanofiber masks are used by the military, firefighters, doctors, or people living in heavily polluted areas.

A copper nanofiber mask can withstand the coronavirus repeatedly, usually lasting up to 24 hours. If you wear it 3 hours a day, it will last you about 8 days.

Cloth masks can be used repeatedly

A cloth mask must be made of 100% cotton, since it must be sterilised at high temperatures. Its main advantages include reuse, long life, and minimal environmental impact. Your DIY mask must be sterilised after every use. Immerse it in boiling water (for at least 5 minutes) and then allow it to cool in the water. Disposable masks, on the other hand, must be safely discarded immediately after the first use.

How do I wear and care for my mask properly?

Simply wearing a mask or respirator isn’t enough, as proper hygiene, storage, and handling of your protective equipment is equally important. Wondering what’s the trick for wearing a mask properly? Read on for some helpful tips.

1. Masks are only effective if you combine them with proper hygiene. Frequent and thorough hand washing is important.
2. Wash your hands before putting on a mask and cover your mouth and nose carefully.
3. Note that there must be no gap between the skin and the protective equipment.
4. Do not touch the mask after you’ve put it on. If you do touch it, wash your hands afterwards.
5. Once your mask becomes moist, change it. Never wear a disposable mask repeatedly.
6. Remove the mask from the back and don’t touch the face part. If your mask has rubber bands, remove it by holding it by the rubber bands.

Face masks must be used correctly – change them often and put them on while maintaining the necessary precautions. That said, it’s always better to have some mask on than none at all.

So wearing a mask isn’t pointless?

A protective mask does not help as much as a respirator, but don’t underestimate its importance. The golden rule is ‘I protect you, you protect me’. These protective devices prevent the spread of the disease into your surroundings, which prevents people from infecting each other. However, you must also take care to wear, handle, change, and sterilise them properly, and observe strict hygiene.