Govt warns against use of N-95 masks with valved respirators; Know Why-

New Delhi, July 21: The Director-General of Health Services cautioned all states and Union Territories against the use of N-95 valved respirator masks. He warned against the mask saying "these don't prevent the virus from spreading out and are 'detrimental' to the measures adopted for its containment" in a letter.

 

 

The letter stated, "It has been observed that there inappropriate use of the N95 mask with valved respirators by the public other than designated health workers. It is to bring to the knowledge that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of Coronavirus as it doesn't prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask."

 

 

 

"In view of the above, I request you to instruct all concerned to follow the use of face/mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N-95 masks," DGHS Rajiv Garg said in the letter. ICMR also earlier stated that the N-95 mask does not prevent Coronavirus from escaping out of the mask, better to use home-made face mouth cover instead of valved respirator N-95.

 

 

The government also asked the citizens to use homemade protective masks for face and mouth to protect themself from COVID-19. The advisory stressed such face covers must be washed and cleaned each day, as instructed, and stated that any used cotton cloth can be used to make this face cover.

 

The ministry also released the procedures of making such homemade masks, asking to ensure it fits the face well and there are no gaps on the sides. It also advised that fabric should be washed well in boiling water for five minutes and dried well before making the face cover. It also urges people to wash their hands thoroughly before wearing the face cover, switching to another fresh one as the face cover becomes damp or humid, and never reusing it after single use without cleaning it.

 

"Never share the face cover with anyone. Every member in a family should have separate face cover," the advisory stated.

 

N95 can block approximately 95 percent of harmful air particles from entering your body via nose and mouth. N95 masks are special protective masks that are used to protect from contaminated, harmful air droplets &liquid which can contaminate your face. Meanwhile, the exhalation valve in the N95 respirators is designed to ease exhalation and decrease humidity, heat, and moisture inside the mask.

 

 

On the other hand, according to the new study, COVID 19 is the air-bone virus. The airborne disease can spread when people with certain infections cough, sneeze, or talk, spewing nasal and throat secretions into the air. Some viruses or bacteria take flight and hang in the air or land on other people or surfaces.

 

When you breathe in airborne pathogenic organisms, they take up residence inside you. You can also pick up germs when you touch a surface that harbors them, and then touch your own eyes, nose, or mouth. N 95 Mask with the valve cant protects the person from the COVID-19 virus.

 

The valve N-95 mask respiratory are not suitable for patients suffering from COVID-19 as during exhalation they will allow the virus to pass out easily and can potentially infect neighboring people. N95 mask with Valves permits droplet release from the mask, putting others at risk. Any mask with a one-way valve is only going to protect the person wearing it. It won’t protect anyone around that person from potential exposure to virus particles they exhale.