How, when and why should a mask be used?

Now that the different phases of the de-escalation are taking shape, proposing the progressive return to a “normal activity”, which of course will not be normal as we enjoyed it before the Covid Pandemic19, more than ever, which ones are the behaviors that allow us to have maximum security so as not to infect others, nor to infect ourselves.

One of the barriers that is key to avoid contagion, in addition to surface cleaning, hand cleaning, social withdrawal or avoiding touching the face, nose, eyes and mouth, is the use of masks. Although it should be noted that the use of a mask alone will not be effective, if it is not used in conjunction with the other measures.

Therefore, the return to normality will go through a widespread use of masks, along with the other measures, which will allow us to fulfill the first objective of not infecting others, because if we all wore masks, nobody would infect anyone.

COVID19 is known to be transmitted through respiratory droplets, which are 5-10 microns in size, from infected persons by speaking or coughing, and these droplets that have a limited air range of 1-1.5 meters, then they can be deposited on the surface being a source of contagion. Therefore, to avoid contagion, barriers must be put up so that these droplets do not have the opportunity to be a source of contagion through the use of masks and with a distance of 2 meters when we start conversations between people, along with the rest hygienic measures that we have discussed.

It should be borne in mind that there is currently more and more evidence showing that not only sick people who are “symptomatic”, who would be the tip of the iceberg, are those who transmit the virus, but also those who are “pre-symptomatic” (1-2 days before presenting symptoms) or the so-called “asymptomatic carriers” can be transmitters of the virus. Precisely to face this potentially contagious population that goes unnoticed, surgical or hygienic masks must be used indiscriminately and the precautions and measures that we have discussed above must be maximized. The lack of evidence meant that initially it was not recommended that people who are asymptomatic or not in charge of patients or people at risk should wear a medical mask.

What types of masks are there?

There are different types of masks depending on their degree of protection and their scope of use. The difference between the different types of masks is their complexity that directly affects the cost. On the other hand, the high demand for masks has made them scarce, causing a price increase that has recently been regulated by the state.

Types of Masks:

Surgical masks

Also called medical masks are the simplest. They provide a barrier that prevents the transmission of an infectious agent between healthcare personnel and the patient, to control the spread of respiratory drops. It prevents an infected person from infecting another person.

Filter masks called FFP Filtering Facial Parts (FFP2 and FFP3) or self-filtering respirators or masks

They prevent the passage of particles larger than 0.6 microns and, therefore, prevent virions (including SARS-CoV2) and bacteria that cause airborne diseases from penetrating. They are considered individual protective equipment (PPE), and are used in the healthcare environment.

The FFP1, without an exhalation valve and with minimal filtration, do not protect the wearer, but they do prevent contagion.

FFP2 and FFP3 protect the user from exposure to contaminants during aerosol-generating procedures. They may or may not have exhalation valves. Those that do not have valves that protect the person who uses them and limit the spread of the virus, while those that have valves protect those who wear them, but do not limit their spread because they do not prevent the release of exhaled respiratory particles from the user to the environment.

The FFP2 have a filtering capacity of 92% of the particles in the air and are intended for personnel who access rooms in respiratory isolation, emergency personnel and consultations for patients at high risk of airborne diseases and laboratories where they work. with a biosafety level of level 2.

FFP3 are the superior protection ones with a filtration capacity of 98% of air particles and are intended for healthcare personnel in contact with procedures that can generate aerosols such as endotracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, manual ventilation, etc.

Non-medical face masks

Manufactured from cloth or other material such as paper, they are not intended for use in healthcare settings or by healthcare professionals. In these would be the “hygienic masks” with fibrous structure, with a quality certificate, which can be reusable, and which have been destined for use in the community to avoid contagion by drops. Hygienic masks are not considered a medical device and although they are not designed to protect against the virus, they limit their spread.
 

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When should I use the mask?

People with symptoms of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, health workers, caregivers of people both in the social and health field and at home, must use masks to prevent the spread of the disease to other people.

The only mask that would fulfill the double objective of not infecting and not being infected (as long as it was used correctly), is the FPP2 mask without an exhalation valve..

To avoid infecting others, do not use the FPP2 masks with an exhalation valve or the FPP3 masks, since their exhalation valves prevent them from controlling the ability to infect the wearer.

Currently it is recommended that health personnel should wear surgical masks especially when there is a distance of less than 2 meters between colleagues. When there are situations of greater risk such as direct and continued contact with COVID-19 patients, the use of FFP2 or FFP3 is recommended, and if there is the possibility of aerosol generation, the use of FFP3 masks is recommended by staff and obviously surgical masks by the patient.

Due to the greater risk for healthcare personnel, the use of surgical masks is a priority in this area compared to other community settings.

In HOSPITALS it is recommended:

In COMMUNITY it is recommended:

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What type of mask should I use?

Recommendation of surgical masks in:

Recommendation of hygienic masks in:

It is not convenient to use masks in:

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How should I use the mask? 

If we want the use of masks to fulfill their function and not generate a false sense of protection, we must know how to handle and use them. It is necessary to take into account the recommendations of a hand hygiene before putting them on and after their removal, do it using the tapes avoiding touching the front of the mask and discarding it in a waterproof bag in the trash.

The following recommendations should be followed when putting on or removing a mask:

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Disadvantages of the use of Mask:

The use of masks has a series of drawbacks that must be pointed out, such as:

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What are the benefits to society in general that we all use the mask well?

Recently the ministry has published a document “RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USE OF MASKS IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19” which is summarized in the following points:

Dr. Marco Antonio Sempere Alcocer
Microbiology and Parasitology Specialist