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Wear a face mask to stay safe from COVID- 19.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, originating in China, is a serious concern, as the number of infected patients is increasing daily. Therefore, wearing a face mask is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus and is a basic way to protect yourself.
Even though we may not want to risk leaving home and getting infected with COVID-19, certain life circumstances and necessities still require us to go out every day. Some people even rely on public transportation. For those who cannot work from home or need to go out to sell goods or work daily to support themselves and their families, going out, whether near or far, is now unsafe due to the risk of infection. Therefore, we should take extra precautions, especially by wearing face masks, washing our hands frequently, and minimizing touching of our face, eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible. These measures will help reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
COVID-19 can be transmitted from one person to another through droplets of mucus, nasal discharge, and saliva from the coughing and sneezing of an infected person, or through close contact with an infected person, or direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or sputum of an infected person.
Suppose an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets of mucus, saliva, and phlegm can spread up to 1 meter. Therefore, anyone within a 1-meter radius can directly inhale these droplets, leading to infection. Wearing a face mask is therefore crucial.
There are many types of masks, the most commonly known being surgical masks , cloth masks , and N95 masks.
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Surgical masks , or the familiar green face masks, are designed to prevent the spread of droplets from the wearer. They are not designed to protect against viruses, which are smaller than bacteria, because they do not fit snugly to the face. They require at least three layers and a water-repellent coating. They are suitable for medical personnel or those at risk of or already infected with the disease.
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Cloth masks can be used as a substitute during the shortage of surgical masks. It's better than not wearing anything at all, as it helps prevent hands from touching the mouth and nose. There are many types of cloth masks, but there are no direct studies on their effectiveness in preventing bacteria and viruses.
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N95 masks are suitable for medical personnel who work with patients infected with viruses.
Thank you to Dr. Paranya Sakiyalak for this review; it has greatly improved my understanding. For anyone who wants to delve deeper into face masks, I recommend reading the article "Face Masks," reviewed by Dr. PUBSY. In addition to wearing a mask, other protective equipment such as gloves or face shields are also recommended. Face shields are currently very popular and used by many groups, from celebrities to medical personnel. To wear a face mask correctly, it must cover both the nose and mouth, from the bridge of the nose to the chin, to prevent the transmission of bodily fluids to others. When wearing the mask, only touch the ear loops; avoid touching the inside of the mask that is in contact with your nose and mouth. Besides wearing the mask correctly, you must also choose the right size for your face. The mask should not be too tight, causing difficulty breathing or leaving pressure marks on the face, nor should it be too loose, causing it to slip off your nose and rendering it ineffective. Frequently touching or adjusting the mask on your face is detrimental and increases the risk of contamination.
 Credit: Face mask review by Doctor PUBSY. |
The duration of mask-wearing is generally not advisable for 24 hours. Wearing a mask for extended periods can cause skin irritation, rashes, and itching due to contact with sweat and accumulated dirt under the mask. Exposure to heat and humidity can also lead to acne or infections in the skin area covered by the mask. Therefore, wear a mask only when necessary and during times of high risk of infection, such as close proximity to infected individuals, crowded places, or areas with poor ventilation. Constantly washing or wiping the skin that comes into contact with the mask may not be the correct solution, as frequent contact with water or cleaning solutions can irritate and damage the skin in that area.
Hospitals, supermarkets, factories, and other open buildings, especially during this period, can use CleanTex's designer carpets to communicate to customers about COVID-19 safety, reducing the spread of infection by encouraging the use of masks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing. The carpet has a non-slip nitrile rubber backing and a printed nylon mat, providing a soft, relaxing feel and reducing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it's washable and reusable, eliminating worries about germ or dust accumulation.
Wear a mask to avoid COVID-19.
The Coronavirus pandemic that originating in China has caused new patient raising up everyday. Wearing mask is a measure to prevent the spread of virus and avoid touching your face, nose, eyes and mouth.
People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 when they
sneezing, coughing or exhales. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
There are several types of mask such as Surgical Mask, Cloth face mask or N95 respirator
- Surgical Mask: help to block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays or splatter that may contain germs. It does not provide complete protection from viruses or bacteria because of the loose fit between the surface of the face mask and your face.
- Cloth face mask is still better than none at all. It can reduce the transmission of the virus from the wearer to others
- N95 respirator: it is not recommended for general public wearing. It should be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders.
Thank you Dr. Pranya Sakiyalak for reviewing different types of masks. For more information, please read his article “หน้ากากอนามัย (Face mask)” by PUBSY.
In addition to wearing face mask, gloves or face shield should be applied for better protection. Mask should cover mouth, nose and chin with color side facing outward. Pinch the metal edge of the mask, make sure no gabs between your face and mask. Avoid touching the mask while using it, holding only the ear loops.
To be effective, change mask regularly. Wearing mask to long may cause itchy, allergic rash or acne from your sweat. Wear mask when necessary.
Hospital, supermarket, factory or building especially that doing service in this situation should highly consider Kleen-Tex's Logo or Design floor mats to communicate with visitors. To remind for wearing mask, wash your hands or social distancing. The Logo/Design floor mat is anti-slip with nitrile rubber backing, surface is printed nylon. No worries about hygiene because it can be cleaned and wash and will remain in good condition and appearance for long time.
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