Does a Surgical Mask Help Avoid COVID-19

 

What is the significance of using a surgical face mask to avoid the spread of Covid-19? One of the main routes of transmission of Covid-19 is through tiny respiratory droplets that the sick person or carrier expels when coughing, sneezing, even when speaking. This means that its contagion capacity is between 2 to 4 people on average, as long as they are a meter or less away.

The other is by contact of the hands with the face, eyes or nose, after having supported them on surfaces exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Scientific evidence has shown that this virus can remain infectious for 4 hours on a copper surface, 6 hours on stainless steel, 8 hours on plastic, and up to 24 hours on a cardboard one.

The droplets measure between 5 to 10 microns, when falling and evaporating, the viable germs remain contained in the so-called droplet nuclei of Well (aerosols), much smaller and with greater displacement capacity. Both remain dangerous and responsible for the transmission of respiratory infectious diseases. This form of transmission is less immediate, less direct, where protection measures are more difficult, less effective and also more expensive. Hence, the need for protection comes in form of surgical face mask. So, buy your surgical face mask in Canada here.

How does it all come in to action?

The entrance door of the virus to our organism is the same as the exit door, mouth and nostrils, with the exception of the conjunctiva mucosa that is only entrance. Therefore, the best way to prevent the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into our body is by using surgical face mask, but also by maintaining social distancing and proper hand washing.

With regard to surgical face mask in Canada, different types have been identified that are governed by specific regulations and recommendations for use. From lowest to highest level of protection, they are classified as: household or hygienic, medical or surgical face mask, and self-filtering or respirators.

The rise of using surgical face mask in Canada

In June of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized for the first time the usefulness of surgical face mask in Canada against SARS-CoV-2. However, not any type of mask is recommended. It is recommended that surgical face mask have at least three layers and that, in their preparation, polypropylene is used as a priority. If it is not available, you should look for surgical face mask in Canada here.

The use of surgical face mask should be reserved only for the control of the source (infected person) in the community, but not as a preventive measure. The filtration efficiency depends on the tightness of the fabric, the fibers or the diameter as well as the manufacturing process. The surgical face mask in Canada has shown to vary between 0.7 and 60%. The higher the filtration efficiency, the greater the barrier effect the fabric has. For example, surgical face mask must have a minimum of four layers, yet still achieve a filtration efficiency of 13%.

Why surgical face masks?

Surgical face mask in Canada is flat, has pleats and is fixed to the head by means of tapes; it has been traditionally used to reduce surgical wound infections caused by bacterial contaminants that can be exhaled by healthcare personnel. Although it is true that they offer a balance between filtration and breathability, they filter droplets of 3 microns in diameter. The use of this type of mask is not recommended for health personnel or relatives of patients who live with patients infected with coronavirus.

On the other hand, in a recent meta-analysis of observational studies, disposable surgical face mask and reusable 12 to 16-layer cotton surgical masks were found to be associated with the protection of healthy people within homes and among sick contacts (positive effect).

Self-filtering masks are designed to reduce exposure to airborne contaminants. They are used by healthcare personnel to offer a good level of protection, adapt well to the face providing an airtight seal between the face and the respirator. But the personnel must receive training and also a medical evaluation during use.

It must be established that the use of a surgical face mask in Canada, whatever it may be, is not enough to protect the community against this pandemic. But to always keep in mind the process of transmission of the infection and act accordingly: practicing social distancing, avoiding unnecessary exposure, using masks and frequent and efficient hand washing, in order to defeat the common enemy that has significantly disrupted our reality.