After weeks analyzing the mortality of the new coronavirus (which is only 2% despite its high incidence), relativizing alarmism and combating fake news , the situation with COVID-19 becomes serious in Europe.
Seven deaths in Italy in recent days have increased the tension among Europeans. Simultaneously, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement in which it alerts the population to prepare for a pandemic.
This has caused many people to decide to buy a mask to protect themselves and their families, even in countries where there are hardly any infected, or where they are under strict control. After what happened in Italy, which registers 230 infected in addition to the six deaths as of February 25 , the feeling in many of the western European countries, including Spain, is that this coronavirus can experience a rebound at any time.
Faced with the threat: serenity, reason (let’s not lose sight of the fact that their mortality is very low), official and proven information and, of course, a little prevention. Is it necessary to wear a mask in a country like Spain? If you want to know when it is necessary to use one, which one is more effective or safe, and how to use it, then we present all the information you need.
Is the mask necessary?
The first thing you should know is that there is no reason to wear a mask if there is no real risk of contagion. In other words, in countries where the number of people affected is anecdotal, it is not necessary to wear a mask; in fact, it is advisable not to do so. This was stated by the medical expert in infectious diseases at the University of San Francisco Charles Chiu in an article for CNN. The only people who should wear a mask are health personnel or people who are caring for infected people; those who have symptoms that make them suspect a possible contagion; and, of course, people who are already infected, to avoid spreading the virus.
What’s more, Dr. Chiu adds that wearing masks can create a “false sense of security”, since people may believe that this is enough to prevent infection, thus forgetting other prevention measures much more effective than the use of mask. mask, such as hand washing with soap and hot water that is strongly recommended by the WHO.
What type of mask is safest?
If in the end you decide to wear a mask, remember that it is only effective if you wash your hands frequently. Now, let’s go with the nuances when it comes to masks.
On this subject, stay with these acronyms: FFP, filtering facepiece or, in Spanish, filtering mask. Filtering masks protect from respirable dust, smoke, and aerosols, but offer no protection against vapor and gas. Depending on their protection, the masks have different grades: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.
The FFP3 and FFP2 type masks are the only ones that protect against substances or pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
Some online sales companies are taking advantage of the ‘pull’ of the coronavirus threat to put masks on sale that promise to protect both you and your family from the danger of the virus. But are they really reliable? Is the classic surgical mask the best option?
According to Dr. Nathalie MacDermott of King’s College London for the British newspaper Independent: “The basic surgical mask offers limited protection because the fit can be inadequate and they can get wet quite quickly when inhaling and exhaling. The reason is that these masks do not they were designed to protect against a virus, but rather to protect an operated patient from any virus or bacteria carried in the nose and mouth of the operating room staff ”.
The popular magazine New Scientist published that the N95 (type FFP2) marketed in Europe, designed to filter up to 95% of pollutants, offer more protection than surgical masks; on the other hand, they can make it difficult for a person to breathe, so they could be dangerous for someone who has symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.
When should I use the mask?
As we mentioned, if you live in a country where the contagion is anecdotal, it is not necessary to use a mask. In addition to the aforementioned, it is advisable not to waste resources when they are really necessary.
If you are healthy, and you are not a health worker, you only need to wear a mask if you are caring for a person suspected of having COVID-19.
In general, the WHO mask use recommendations for this coronavirus are summarized in using the mask if contagion is suspected, if you are coughing or sneezing; and always in combination with frequent hand cleaning with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
How to use the mask and how to dispose of it?
We repeat: before using a mask, the first thing to do is wash your hands with disinfectant or soap and water; Afterwards, the mouth and nose must be covered with the mask, making sure that no space is left between the mask and the face.
During use, avoid touching the mask and, if this happens, wash your hands immediately afterwards. Another important indication is not to reuse the same mask after one use.
To remove the mask, it must be removed from behind, avoiding touching the front. It should be disposed of in a container immediately after removal. When finished, again, you have to re-disinfect your hands.
Remember: use the mask only when it is really necessary. And, if you use it, do it well ; otherwise, it’s like you’re not wearing it.
