Hyderabad: While COVID cases are on the rise across the country, there have been corresponding relaxations of the lockdown in the states. Trade and transport activities are in full swing.
In this context, it is imperative for anyone to take appropriate precautions by themselves to stay safe and fit. The main one among these precautions is to wear masks. In the current COVID boom, what type of masks are suitable to be used by general public and how are they different from those being utilised by the healthcare professionals.
Given below are a few precautions that need to be observed while utilising these masks, as stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines:
Types of Masks
Medical masks
* Those who are offering their services in and around the areas that are inflicted by Covid should be using the N95 medical masks. Healthcare professionals who work in the departments related to cardio-vascular ailments, chronic diseases and long-term patient care centers should also be using such masks, irrespective of whether the concerned departments / areas have any covid case in the vicinity.
People infected with Corona Virus also to use Medical Masks
* In the areas where there are confirmed cases of Corona, elderly people who are aged above 60 years and those who have been suffering from chronic diseases should also be wearing the N95 medical masks, to protect themselves, when there is a lesser chance of maintaining physical distance from the affected persons.
Simple masks for general public
* In the times of severe spread of Corona virus, general public who are planning to go out of the houses on their regular errands, such as travelling on public transport such as buses, trains, auto etc., from one place to the other, going to crowded places, malls, shops etc.,
* Such masks include those prepared domestically, ie., at homes itself, with the help of cloth, fabric etc., The masks, either prepared at home or purchased outside, should be prepared with caution and care precautions.
* A 3-layered mask is always preferred.
How to wear
* Rinse hands first with soap-water ( atleast for about 40-60 seconds) or sanitize them using sanitizer (for about 20-30 seconds).
* Make sure the masks are not dirty and do not have any leakages or holes in the fabric. The mask should cover the complete area on the face that includes nose, mouth and chin, completely. There shouldn’t be any space left out that the mask doesn’t coverup.
* When wearing the mask onto the face, it should be held only at the tag-ends and the same should also be followed while removing them from the face, post usage. Care should be taken not to touch the mask under any circumstances, with bare hands. If accidentally touched, hands must be washed immediately.
Care to be taken while removing the masks
* Masks should be removed without touching the front of the mask. It should be removed just by holding the ends of the mask tags and if accidentally touched, the hands should be immediately washed with soap and water.
Mandatory Measures
* Masks should be used separately and not to be shared with anyone else. They are to be used individually only.
* Rinse with soap and hot water daily after wearing and removing fabric / cloth masks.
* Besides wearing masks, it is also mandatory to practice physical distance, wash hands frequently with soapy water or sanitize regularly with sanitizer. Masks protect against droplets emitted from the mouth and nose of the infected person, even if at all they are directly faced to.
Also Read: COVID-19 LIVE: India reports 9,985 cases, 279 deaths last 24 hours
