MASKS: USAGE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

BY: Dr. Mohsina Mukhtar

Overnight, masks have become a symbol of social responsibility. Wearing a face mask is certainly not an iron-clad guarantee that a person won’t get sick. Face masks are crucial for health care providers looking after patients and are also recommended for family members who need to care for someone who is ill – ideally both the patient and carer should wear a mask.

Why masks matter more for this corona virus?

During the initial months of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that use of medical masks should be reserved for patients, health-care workers, and others in close contact with the infected cases. But recently in the light of new evidence, the C.D.C. changed its recommendations, saying that people should wear cloth face coverings in public, while emphasizing that the use of medical masks should still be reserved for front-line workers.

Wearing a medical mask is one of the preventive measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19. However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection. Whether or not masks are used, maximum compliance with hand hygiene and other IPC measures is critical to prevent human-to-human transmission of COVID-19(WHO).

Choosing or Making a Mask:

Almost overnight, masks of all shapes, colors and styles have appeared on the faces around us. Here’s how to decide what mask works best for you.

Types of Face masks

 There is increasing evidence that persons with mild or no symptoms at the pre-symptomatic and early stages of infection can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. The role of asymptomatic infections in transmission is unknown. The evidence comes from viral shedding studies, epidemiological investigations of COVID19 clusters and inferences through modelling. A face mask may help reduce the spread of infection in the community by minimising the excretion of respiratory droplets from infected individuals who may not even know they are infected and before they develop any symptoms. In this respect, mask use by asymptomatic persons can be regarded as an extension of the current practice of face mask use by symptomatic individuals.

Another study showed that cotton surgical masks were associated with a higher risk of penetration of microorganisms and ILI compared to no masks.

Use of face masks by Healthcare Workers:

The use of medical face masks by all healthcare workers not providing care to COVID-19 patients may be considered as an additional measure for reducing transmission of COVID-19 within healthcare settings.

Use of face masks by Community:

The use of face masks in the community may primarily serve as a means of source control. This measure can be particularly relevant in epidemic situations when the number of asymptomatic but infectious persons in the community can be assumed to be high. Wearing a face mask could be considered, especially

• when visiting busy, closed spaces, such as grocery stores, shopping centres, ATMs, Bnaks etc.;
• when using public transport; and
• for certain workplaces and professions that involve physical proximity to many other people (such as members of the police force, cashiers – if not behind a glass partition, etc.)

It should be emphasised that use of face masks in the community should be considered only as a complementary measure and not as a replacement of the core preventive measures that are recommended to reduce community transmission including social distancing, staying home, respiratory etiquette, meticulous hand hygiene and avoiding touching the face, nose, eyes and mouth.

There are three important caveats related to the use of face masks in the community:

• It should be ensured that medical face masks (and respirators) are conserved and prioritised for use by healthcare providers, especially given the current shortages of respiratory personal protective equipment reported across the country.
• The use of face masks may provide a false sense of security leading to suboptimal social distancing, poor respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene – and even not staying at home.
• There is a risk that improper removal of the face mask, handling of a contaminated face mask or an increased tendency to touch the face while wearing a face mask by healthy persons might actually increase the risk of transmission.

Table 2: Pros and cons of face mask use in the community

 How your mask could protect you and others?

• Even a simple mask is very effective at trapping droplets from coughs and sneezes. A recent study published in Nature from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Maryland revealed that masks were able to stop most virus-laden respiratory droplets and some of the virus-laden aerosols. Experts say there is more variation in how much protection homemade masks provide against incoming germs, depending on the fit and quality of the material used. But the bottom line is, there is no need of a super-efficient mask as long as use of a mask is practiced in combination with social distancing and frequent hand cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

How to put a mask on and take one off?

• 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.
• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
• To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

When to wear a mask at home?

A mask is only needed in the home if someone is sick. The patient should be confined to a separate room with no or minimal contact with the rest of the household (including pets) and should use a separate bathroom if possible. Both patient and caregiver should wear masks when in contact with each other.

Can a medical mask be reused?

Medical masks and N95 masks have been designed for one-time use. However a number of scientists, led by a group at Stanford University, are studying the best way to sanitize masks to extend the life of the personal protective equipment used by medical workers during the current shortage.

The problem is that washing or sanitizing a medical mask will degrade it, making it less effective. Scientists have found that using UV light, heat and humidity or a hydrogen peroxide vapor could work, but the methods are developed for use in hospitals with special equipment and are not for home use. For medical workers, one strategy is to keep a set of five masks, so they can wear a new mask every day and return to the first mask on the sixth day as studies have found that viruses usually decay faster on fabric and other porous materials than on hard materials like steel or plastic.

How to care for a fabric mask?

It’s much easier to clean a cloth/fabric mask than a medical mask. The C.D.C. says fabric masks should be washed routinely. Experts suggest washing masks daily in a machine or a sink, using regular laundry soap and let it air dry. Although it’s not necessary, it can be ironed to ensure all germs have been removed. Use of chemicals like bleach or hydrogen peroxide should be avoided as it will begin to degrade the fabric fibers, making the mask less effective.

Appropriate use of face masks is key for the effectiveness of the measure and can be improved through education campaigns. Recommendations on the use of face masks in the community should carefully take into account evidence gaps, the supply situation, and potential negative side effects.

• The author is currently working as a Senior Resident in Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Anantnag and can be reached at [email protected].

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