Best Face Mask To Prevent Infection

The beginning of 2020 will be remembered as the time when the whole world was engulfed by the lethal wave of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Panic buying and hoarding of essential items started soaring and before people could understand the magnitude of the health crisis, country-wide lockdowns were announced by governments. The safety guidelines for those who were allowed to move out of their homes included wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and sanitising their hands regularly.

Australia managed to curb the rise in the number of positive cases with its strict regulations. However, even after the easing of the restrictions, it was clear that the novel coronavirus was here to stay and was mutating fast. Thus, wearing a mask and following other safety guidelines have now become a part of our regular routine.

The first thing that we pick before venturing out of our homes these days is not the mobile phone, but the face mask. It has become a prerequisite if you are going out and is also the best-selling product for 2020-21. The latest face masks are made with materials that can filter viruses and pollutants. However, you need to be aware of the best face masks in Australia to stay protected from COVID-19. It is becoming challenging to choose the perfect one since the market is flooded with a variety of face coverings.

From fabric masks to medical masks, you can find plenty of options that are available in vibrant colours and designs. Masks have been considered to be effective in restricting transmission of infectious droplets from one person to another when they are in proximity. Thus, if you have been getting confused while searching for the right product that offers maximum protection, look at the list of the best face masks to prevent infection given below. It will help you to find the perfect shield to protect yourself and others around you. However, before you embark on your search to find the right mask, you must have deeper understanding about this protective gear. So here is a complete guide on the best face masks in Australia.

Why Should You Wear Face Masks?

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) and all healthcare institutes and professionals, masks are vital in supressing airborne transmission of the virus and should be a part of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. Everyone above the age of two years must wear a mask in public places whether they are vaccinated or not. According to the recent data collected after the emergence of the Delta variant, fully vaccinated individuals can also get infected by the virus and pass it on to others. Thus, it is essential to wear a mask in high transmission zones, such as crowded markets, workplaces, public transport, large gatherings, weddings, etc. One should also be aware when moving house with help of the best removalists Adelaide, and follow all safety norms to avoid transmission of virus and germs.

What Type of Face Masks Prevent Infection?

While looking for a face mask, you should be aware of the following features that prevent infection.

• The first and foremost feature of a face mask is that it must cover both the nose and the mouth completely.
• It should have three layers of breathable fabric and should be washable so that you can reuse them whenever needed. Do not buy masks that make breathing difficult or are made of vinyl or similar material.
• It must fit on your face perfectly without any gaps on the sides that can allow the virus to escape or enter your mouth.
• The mask meant for COVID-19 prevention should not have any exhalation valves as the virus can pass through them.
• It should have a wire on the area that covers the top of the nose to avoid any open spaces.
• Children below two are not advised to wear masks as their airways are smaller and they may not be able to breathe properly through a mask. Also, they may not be able to remove it when they feel suffocated. In other cases, they may want to remove it, which can make them touch their face again and again and it can increase the risk of infection.
• Children above two should wear masks that are made from breathable material and fit snugly over the nose and mouth.

How Can a Mask Ensure Safety From COVID-19?

Face masks when used along with other preventive measures can help in controlling COVID-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which infects the nose, throat, lungs, and the windpipe. It can spread through large respiratory droplets while sneezing or coughing, sharing saliva (if you use the same glass with an infected person), and through airborne aerosols that spread in the air while talking and breathing.

Face masks allow a healthy person to prevent the virus from entering the mouth or nose. It also aids in keeping the hands and fingers away from these areas since they are covered. Thus, even if you touch any infected surface, the virus may not be able to reach the air passage as they are covered. Therefore, people who are infected must wear it to avoid spreading the virus and those who are not infected must use it keep themselves safe. When a large population wears masks, the probability of contracting the diseases reduces considerably. They should be worn by healthcare professionals as well as common public to keep the contagion in check.

While the medical practitioners wear the most advanced masks that fall under the personal protective equipment (PPE), others are recommended to use other masks available in the market. People who are above 65 years or are suffering from diseases like diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, heart ailments, low immunity and lung disease must wear a mask while going out of their homes. They are highly vulnerable and getting infected can lead to hospitalisation. As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. Thus, wearing a mask along with social distancing, vaccination and regular hand washing can help in keeping the virus at bay. There are a range of masks available these days and they primarily include fabric masks, surgical masks, and N95 respirators. Let us understand these in detail.

Fabric Masks

A fabric mask or a cloth mask is usually made from multiple layers of cotton or denim cloth and can be washed for reuse. These are non-medical face masks, and their efficacy is not as high as other masks in preventing infection. Many people sew them at home, but they are not regulated by TGA. They can be used in public spaces with large crowds to reduce transmission. Cleaning of these masks is of utmost importance. The cloth masks can be hand-washed or can be laundered along with other dirty clothes in the washing machine. Make sure that you use soap and warm water to clean the mask thoroughly and dry it in sunlight before using it again.

Surgical Masks

These are medical-grade masks that are effective in preventing droplet infection. The surgical masks are usually worn by healthcare workers in a hospital or medical centre where they are not involved with aerosol generating procedures. These are disposable masks and should not be reused. They must be discarded according to the guidelines of the government and should not be shared with others. Surgical masks aid in blocking large droplets and particles from entering the mouth or the nose. Thus, they are capable of filtering splashes, splatters and large particles and stop personal respiratory secretions from entering the air. However, they are not useful when it comes to very small particles, and thus, are not considered 100% effective in preventing infection. Also, they do not fit completely over the nose and the cheeks and leave gaps that can lead to transmission of germs and viruses.

N95/KN95/FFP2 Respirators

The N95/KN95/FFP2 respirator masks can filter microscopic particles and prevent airborne transmission. They provide a snug fit around the nose and the mouth and are often used in industrial and healthcare settings as the workforce in these workplaces is exposed to very fine particles that can affect the respiratory system or cause infections. The N95 masks are used by healthcare professionals to avoid the transmission of microscopic organisms, particles, and body fluids.

They are capable of blocking bacteria, viruses, pollutants, and other allergens. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the availability of the respirators has come down as they are in high demand in the medical fraternity. Thus, these masks should be used in healthcare settings as there is a shortage of the respirators. Also, when you are buying these masks, make sure that they meet the Australian Standard or their international equivalent. The compliant N95/KN95/FFP2 respirator masks should have the name of the manufacturer and filter classification (P1/P2) mentioned on it. The buyer should also ask for certificate from the manufacturer that confirms that the mask complies with AS/NZS 1716: 2012 or a comparable international standard.

Best Face Mask to Prevent Infection

Face masks have become omnipresent and a necessity in the current scenario. It is essential to find a mask that provides optimum protection and can be reused after washing. Thus, you must purchase high-quality face masks to prevent infection. Here is a list of the best face masks in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions about Face Masks

While masks are becoming common, there are many misconceptions and lack of knowledge about them. Here are the answers to the most common questions about these face coverings that will resolve all your confusions.

How to Use A Face Mask?

Many people think that wearing a mask is easy and does not need to be learnt. However, there is a set of guidelines that need to be followed to prevent infection.

• First, wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. If you do not have access to these, you can rely on an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Dry your hands and avoid touching any surface.
• Open the packaging and make sure that the packet was appropriately sealed before using it. Also, check the mask for tears or holes. Do not touch the front part of the mask.
• Hold the mask from the ear loops and place them around your ears. If the mask has adjustment cylinders, use them to make it fit perfectly over the mouth. Do not make it too tight as it will hurt your ears.
• If the mask has a nose wire, use it to bend it over the nose bridge and cover all the gaps carefully so that no leakage is possible.
• If the mask has an elastic back, pull it over your head to adjust it in the right place. On the other hand, it needs to be tied at the back of the head, make sure that you do not leave it lose and increase the risk of infection.
• While removing the mask, make sure that you do not touch the mask until you have washed your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Dry your hands and touch only the ear loops or the band to remove the mask. Do not touch the front part of the mask and move it away from your face immediately.
• Dispose of the mask and once again follow the hand wash routine of 20 seconds to keep infection at bay.

How to Dispose of Face Masks?

With regular use of face masks, their disposal has become a matter of concern. If you are not infected and have not come in touch with an infected person, you can dispose of the mask along with other waste of the house in a closed bin. If you are disposing of a contaminated mask, make sure that you put in a closed bind with two bin liners without touching it. The bin should have a foot pedal to avoid any contact and reduce the risk of transmission. The double bags will make sure that the contaminated mask does not infect other people. If you are unable to find a double bin liner, you must first insert the mask in a sealed bag and then place it in the closed bin with a single bin liner.

Can Bandanas and Scarves Be Used as Face Masks?

They may cover the face but do not provide protection from infection. The mask should be at least double layered and breathable so that infection cannot spread. A bandana or a scarf does not cover all the gaps and has open areas that can lead to leakage of droplets or give them entry into the mouth or nose. Similarly, face shields do not provide any protection from droplet infection as they are open from the bottom.

How to Ensure Maximum Protection?

The most significant aspect of wearing a face mask is protection from infection. However, if you keep removing it to talk or eat or pull it down every now and then, it will not prove to be effective. Thus, it is vital to keep wearing it without fail when you are outside. Whether you are talking or not, do not take it off. In addition, you need to make sure that the mask fits perfectly around the mouth and nose and does not leave any gaps on the sides, bottom and top. It should be breathable which means that air should flow in and out through the material of the mask without any disruption.

Do People with Beard Need Extra Layers?

People with beards can find it challenging to make the mask fit perfectly on their face because of the thick hair. Thus, they can either shave it off or trim it to allow the mask to do its job. However, if they want to keep the beard, they can use a mask fitter or use double masking, which involves wearing a disposable mask under a multi-layer cloth mask.

Does Wearing a Mask Increase CO2 Levels While Breathing?

No, the CO2 levels do not rise in the air that we breathe while wearing a mask as the molecules of CO2 are extremely small and can easily pass through the mask. However, the respiratory droplets are bigger in size and cannot pass through the multi-layer masks.

How to Store A Mask?

If the mask is soiled after use, place it a plastic bag until you find the time to wash it. After it has been cleaned, you can place it in a separate place where it does not get dirty. If you are taking off your mask to eat, you can place it in a paper or fabric bag to keep it clean before reuse.

Conclusion

With the COVID-19 pandemic becoming a part of our daily lives, it has become imperative to stay armed with all the protective gear and preventive measures. Thus, make sure that you buy the best face masks to prevent infection and stay protected at all times.