The Director General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health recently has written a letter to the state authorities regarding the inappropriate use of N95 masks by general people. The letter also clarifies the answer to the question whether N95 masks prevent the spread of COVID-19 aka Corona.
In the letter, Rajiv Garg (The Director General of Health Services) explained, the N95 mask is a personal protective equipment used to protect the wearer from airborne particles. These masks are designed to filter at least 95% of airborne particles (that’s why it is called N95) but there are certain N95 masks that are not designed in way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Take an N95 one valve respirator mask as an example that has the valves at the front. These masks going to protect the person wearing it but as it has one way valve the aerosols coming out of an infected person wearing this mask not going to prevent others. Hence, an infected person wearing this one valve respirator N95 mask put those persons in danger around him/her.
The N95 masks having two valves are effective as it can filter the aerosols both during the inhaling and exhaling. However, the quantity of these masks is limited and right now is in use most by the health personnel who are most exposed to this global pandemic.
The letter said, Normal users can use masks made of cotton cloth but should be washed properly before using it. The advisory mentioned, the colour of the cloth doesn’t matter but should be washed properly for 5 minutes in boiled salty water. Also, it should be noted that these marks must not have any gaps or holes left.
So, What are your opinion about this new advisory from the Indian Health Ministry, let us know in the comments down below.