Government Advises to Stop Wearing N95 Masks
Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Ministry of Health wrote a letter to state authorities stating that the public is using the N95 masks inappropriately.
On Monday 20th July the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Ministry of Health wrote a letter to state authorities stating that the public is using the N95 masks inappropriately. DGHS Rajiv Garg in the letter said, "It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus". N95 respirator is used to protect the person from airborne particles and from liquid contaminating the face. It helps to reduce exposure to particles including small particle aerosols. N-95 masks filter at least 95% of airborne particles. The edges of the respirator form a seal around the nose and mouth. These respirators are mainly designed for health care workers. They are also used at construction sites to protect the person from dust particles. But there are some types of N95 masks like the ones with a valve are not as beneficial. Avoid wearing a mask which has valves or openings on the front. These may be 'One-way Valve'. Masks with a one-way valve do not filter aerosols coming out of your mouth. So it will be a risk for people around you. A perfect face mask should prevent you from catching (getting affected) a respiratory illness and should also protect others. A mask that will protect you but not protect people around you, will not help in stopping the spread of Covid-19.
A N95 mask that has a two-way valve can filter out particles during both inhaling and exhaling. However, these are mostly used by health professionals as they are more exposed to virus droplets.The government issued an advisory in April saying people can use homemade protective cover for face and mouth when going out of their houses. The advisory said that any used cotton cloth can be cut into a face cover. As per the government advisory the colour of the cloth is not important but it is important that cloth is washed in boiling water for five minutes and dried well before making the face cover. It was also recommended that salt can be added to this water. The mask should fit the face well and there should be no gaps on the sides.It advised people to wash their hands thoroughly before wearing the face cover. When the face cover gets damp or humid, it should be changed and a fresh mask should be used. Cloth masks without cleaning should never be reused. Advisory stated, "Never share the face cover with anyone. Every member in a family should have separate face cover.”
