How much it protects us, which ones are inappropriate and how to choose the right one - What Prof. Karagiannis says
For several months now we have been facing the coronavirus pandemic and while we are in the middle of the virus re-emergence, the use of a mask is a major issue in our lives as it is now mandatory indoors by decree of the Ministry of Health.
It is very important that the protective masks are used in the right way because their incorrect use can bring the opposite of the desired results.
Professor of Microbiology / Molecular Virology of the Medical School of the University of Nicosia, Petros Karagiannis speaking to Offsite said that using a mask indoors where there may be someone who is infected, the protection it gives us is over 95% and the risk falls to 1,5%.
Petros Karagiannis mentioned about what is the right way to wear the mask and what is important to avoid, what are the dangers with its wrong use but also with what criteria it is good to choose our mask, which masks are inappropriate and how much the mask protects us in 3 different cases.
The use of a mask is mandatory
As Mr. Karagiannis mentioned, the mask is now mandatory indoors for a few weeks and one can wear disposable masks, or surgical masks or clothing masks that we can wash, iron and reuse. . Of course, clothing masks also protect the environment, do not cause pollution problems and protect just as much as surgical masks.
Therefore the mask is recommended to be worn indoors and at school for children over 12 years old. If the child is under 12 years old and his parents are worried and have taught him well how to wear the mask safely, then I would recommend it to other younger children.
The right way to wear the mask - what to avoid
When we wear the mask I either take it from the straps or from the rubber bands that fit behind the ears, we pass it first through one ear and then the other and then we pull the bottom of our mask to go under the chin and the other part of the mask that carries the small brace over the nose pushing it down to fit the nose well so that the mask does not fall. We do not take the mask from the front all the time we wear it in a place where there are germs.
Then these germs because we breathe from the specific point and because with the exhalation there may be water vapor which can wet the mask, they will stick to the outside so we do not touch the outside so as not to contaminate our hands.
Therefore when we remove it it will be from the rubber bands around the ears. Before throwing it away if it is a disposable mask in the trash or if it is a clothes mask, we should keep it in a bag and put it for washing at home. In addition, before wearing the mask on our face, it would be good to put antiseptic in our hands in case we touched somewhere that is infected.
The danger of its misuse
Mr. Karagiannis added that when we are in a closed space where someone does not follow the rules and touches somewhere where the germ is present and then on his face he can be infected with the virus.
For example, if a person does not wear the mask indoors, their droplets, if contaminated, may well be suspended in the atmosphere and someone who passes through that area will cling to the mask and while it is protected at that time after grab the mask from the front with his hand, he will infect his hands without knowing it and may touch his eyes, his mouth, his nose and become infected in this way.
Criteria for selecting your mask
Mr. Karagiannis stated that it is okay to use all the masks if they have been made in the right way, following those who made them in the correct construction instructions.
Clothes masks should use a double layer of woolen fabric that is densely woven like a men's underwear or a t-shirt which is dual weave where when washed at a temperature above 60 degrees they dry easily and when ironed hot iron there will be no problem leaving anything viable anymore on the mask.
Which masks do not protect and why
There are masks that do not protect. These masks are some that are worn and have a valve on the front. They filter the air one inhales so that the filter holds the germs but when you exhale the valve opens and therefore its exhalation comes out and the microdroplets can disperse.
That is, it protects the one who wears the mask, but if he is infected, he does not protect those around him. In conclusion, these masks that have the valve are not suitable for this purpose.
How much does the mask protect us - 3 cases
In the case where someone has a coronavirus and wears a mask while the others around him do not wear it then the mask protects those around him up to 30% from getting infected.
In another case where the person who has coronavirus does not wear a mask and those around him wear it then the percentage is higher to be infected.
In the probability that both of them wear the mask, ie the one who has coronavirus and the other who does not, the probability of being infected drops to 1,5%.
Because our nose must always be covered
To complete the protection of ourselves and those around us, the mask must cover both the mouth and the nose. Thus, we are protected from inhaling the virus and from exhaling small droplets, added Mr. Karagiannis.
Source: Offsite