In late 2019, an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic began, affecting millions worldwide. COVID-19 is an infectious disease that spreads through infected people’s respiratory discharges or saliva droplets. The current COVID-19 infection prevention strategies rely on personal protective measures. In different settings, there is uncertainty and disagreement about the effectiveness of cloth face masks.
To prevent COVID-19, either alone or in combination with other non-specific measures. However, their use was encouraged and even mandated by authorities in various countries and situations. At the community level, availability, types, utilization, and acceptability of facemasks are critical for their effects on COVID-19 mitigation. Let’s take a closer look at the types of face masks available.
Checking face mask protection
We should look at how different types of masks, such as 3-ply non- medical masks, cloth, and procedural masks, perform in terms of filtration. And how the mask culture is viable in the public areas to fight against the infection. Also, consider the benefits of more readily available alternatives, such as surgical masks, procedural masks, and cloth face coverings, to the general public.
Designing the face mask usage
When comparing regional transmission rates with mandatory masking policies, epidemiological data simulations produce statistically significant results. The message is that empirical infection rates are comparatively lower in areas where face masks use is high.
The study below makes the case that achieving at least 80% face mask use across a population will reduce COVID-19 at a rate enough to end widespread transmission. It is also advised that wearing a face mask 50% of the time will significantly reduce infectious spread.
Is wearing face masks obligatory?
People adopted this common misunderstanding of not wearing face masks because it doesn’t work. Face masks were generally slow to be adopted and recommended in the United States due to widespread shortages. And this widely affected the healthcare workers.
“For more than five weeks after the community spread first documented in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deemed public mask-wearing unnecessary.” It finally reversed its position in early April, advising the public to wear cloth masks in public places.”
Layers of cloth face mask
Fabric cloths provide 2-5 times the filtration efficiency when folded into two layers compared to a single layer of the same cloth mask. And filtration efficiency increases 2-7 times when folded into four layers.
Cotton handkerchief masks should have at least four layers, but they only achieve 13% filtration efficiency. Even with multiple layers, porous materials such as gauze will only provide 3% filtration efficiency.
Cons of cloth face masks
While cloth masks can prevent users from expelling larger droplets (>5 um), it is ineffective against smaller, more opportunistic particles. Cloth masks have the advantage of allowing infected hosts to remove fewer droplets and provide some degree of reduction in viable particles expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking, or even breathing.
Cloth face masks increase the infection risk
Cloth masks provide only marginal protection against viruses. Cloth masks are not only poor performers but also a potential source of self-infection. For example, a contaminated cloth mask may transfer pathogens from the mask to the wearer.
Performance of cloth face masks
Alternate to other options, a used cloth face mask will limit the spread of aerosols from infected hosts and reduce communal transmission.
According to the CDC:
- Cloth face coverings may help slow the virus spread and prevent people who have the virus. But are unaware of it from spreading it to others.
- Cloth face mask coverings can also be made at home.
- Widely available and easy to clean for reuse.
Advantages of procedural face masks
3-ply non-medical face masks for COVID are available in various materials, densities, and layer depths. Only medical face masks are for sensitive environments such as dentistry, firefighting, medicine, and other specialized industries.
Multiple layers of synthetic fiber materials are combined to create a three-ply non-medical face mask. These materials, unlike traditional fabrics, allow for better breathability while providing a more effective filtration media. Each layer serves a specific purpose.
A primary performance factor for face masks is the material selection and non-homogeneous layers. Authentic procedural face masks undergo testing for filtration efficacy. Premium 3-ply non-medical face masks with the following material construction are available on the PAC website:
- Spun bonded polypropylene for the outer mask layer (PP)
- Melt-blown polypropylene for the middle mask layer (MB)
- Spun bonded polypropylene inner mask layer (PP)
Layers of procedural face masks
When attempting to filter fine particles or droplets from the air, non-woven fabrics offer numerous advantages. When properly fitted, advanced manufacturing processes produce a textile media that is more protective and comfortable to wear than knits and wovens.
Outer Layer (Non-Woven)
The first defense line against airborne liquid droplets is a non-woven, hydrophobic layer of spun-bonded polypropylene.
Filter made of meltblown
Instead of being woven or knitted, a melt-blown layer is a dense synthetic textile in which the particles are melted and fused. Meltblown polypropylene is a microporous material and is electrostatically coated to attract and retain viral particles.
Inner Non-Woven Layer
The innermost layer is a soft, absorbent layer that comes into direct contact with the face.
Prevention of the second wave of coronavirus outbreak
Because of the virus’s long incubation period, asymptomatic hosts unknowingly spread it to several people. It means that, regardless of lockdowns and social distancing, a few infected hosts can restart the cycle once society re-normalizes.
Conclusion: Face mask use is widespread worldwide. Commonly used face masks are surgical masks, 3-ply non-medical masks, N95 Respirator masks, and cloth masks. The general public wears a face mask to avoid dust or airborne particles.
Frequently Asked Question
Q1.Is it necessary to avoid wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic?
When talking, breathing, or coughing, face coverings reduce the volume and travel distance of expiratory droplets.
Q2.Can masks prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Masks should be used as part of comprehensive strategic measures to reduce transmission and save lives; wearing a mask alone will not provide adequate protection against COVID-19.
Q3.Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food?
People are unlikely to contract COVID-19 from food or food packaging.