CLOTH MASKS AND CORONAVIRUS - M.A.Aleem Neurologist Trichy

CLOTH MASKS  AND CORONAVIRUS 

- M.A.Aleem Neurologist Trichy 

When an asymptomatic or a presymptomatic coronavirus infected person coughs, they can send showers of tiny droplets – known as aerosols – filled with the virus into the air where can be breathed in.

Use of face masks by the general public is  an approach to managing the spread of Covid-19 in the community. 

It is found that cost effective homemade cloth masks  had the filtration rates ranging from 1% to 79%—compared with 97% for N95 masks and 62% to 65% for surgical masks.

The best-performing face masks were made of two layers of heavyweight “quilter’s cotton” with a thread count of 180 or more. Also performing well were fabrics with thicker thread and tight weave, such as batiks. Double-layer masks made with a cotton outer layer and a flannel inner layer also did well.

Single-layer masks or double-layer masks made of lightweight cotton didn’t perform well.

Use of face masks by the general public as an approach to managing the spread of Covid-19 in the community. Even some city Corporation levies fine for not wearing masks  in public places. 

These can be  washable  with a dilute bleach solution or soap and water  and can be reusable. 

 Cloth masks or face covers  should not be share even with family members.

Our central  Government has also asked people to cover their nose and some  mouth with a face cover and In line with this, some states including Tamilnadu have made it mandatory for people to wear masks on road and work places. 

A cloth mask may provides very good protection, and is more comfortable to wear in this COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Please note that the wearing mask or face cover alone can’t be a substitute for other more effective virus -prevention strategies such as social distancing in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.

Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.

Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water in preventing the spread of COVID-19 .

Need Research  for

Antiviral medicated or long acting disinfectants   packed Face Masks to prevent COVID-19 

The need of the hour is  to speed up research and to make Covid-19 specific Antiviral medicated or long acting disinfectants (if health hazards free) packed Face Masks in a cost effective manner to prevent air droplets route of coronavirus spread in all countries in the world. World health  Organisation, United kingdom,USA, European  Union , and India should take initiative in this research along with vaccines  for COVID-19 .