Types Of Facemask That Can Prevent Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

The covid-19 disease is spreading and spreading real fast. It has spread across over 200 countries killing people on the way. With little information available to health care workers about the virus, prevention methods have revolved around hygiene. Washing hands with soap and running warm water has been the golden advice. However, in cases where there is none available, other options like the use of hand sanitizer could prove helpful.
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Some other prevention methods include sneezing into disposable tissue paper or a folded arm and social distancing. Facemask and handglove is used by health care experts. Some prevent infection from droplets while others include the more small aerosols. Some countries are enforcing the use of these medical materials for every person coming out of their home. Some people who live in countries that have no law on the use of these materials still use them. Many prefer the more expensive ones. Because these ones are effective against droplets and aerosol. The belief is that the virus may be contacted through not only through droplets alone but also aerosol. However, before buying a facemask, it is good to know the various types out there and how to use them effectively to prevent potential covid-19.

Type Of Facemask

There are different types of facemasks. They work differently but serve the same purpose; to prevent droplets or aerosol from passing through. Others are more specific and block even more particles. However, healthcare personnel can use anyone depending on the situation.

Surgical Facemask

Surgical mask

These are disposable, loose fitting rectangular face masks. It covers the mouth, nose and chin. If properly worn by healthy persons, it can prevent infected droplets from entering the nose and mouth. It can also prevent infected droplets from coming out of the mouth and nose of infected persons who put one on. It should be disposed of after 4 hours of use or when it becomes damp. Unfortunately, it does not prevent aerosols. If covid-19 is transmitted by aerosols, surgical facemask is as useless as the 'p' in psychology.

There are three types of surgical facemask. The naming is done based on the way it is held in place.

Earloop surgical facemask

This mask is held in place by an elastic loop worn around the ear. It is very easy to wear. Just hold both loope and fix it around each ear.

Headband surgical face mask

Hold the mask nose piece with one fingertips. This move will allow the headbands to hand freely. Bring the mask close to the nose level. Then pull the top strap over the head. Pull the second strap which is at the bottom over the head so that it rests at the name of the neck.

Tie surgical face mask

Hold the face mask over the mouth and nose. First secure the top tie with a bow at the back of the head. Take the lower tie and make a bow at the neck.

After fixing the facemask, press down the metal strip at the nose to form around the nose. Adjust the sides of the face mask to prevent space between the face and the mask. Pull down the face mask to cover the chin.

FFP Facemask

Filtering facepiece particles also called respiratory protection masks is a type of mask that protects users against bacteria, viruses and particulates. They have a mechanical filter and come with a headband. Some come fitted with an exhalation valve. Those with exhalation valves are labeled V. They are also single use after 24 hours which come with the label NR (Non reusable). Some special ones come with the label R which means that it can be re-used. Dolomite dust test certified masks are those which can be used for extra 8 more hours and are labeled with D. Those that can filter solid are labeled S and liquid with L.  There are three types classified as FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.

FFP1

They are the least among the rest. They can only filter aerosol at 80 percent minimum. They come with an internal leak of up to 22 percent. Very effective in a dust environment. The headband is colour yellow to differentiate it from the others.

FFP2

This came second with an aerosol filtration rate of greater than 94 percent. It's internal leak rating is fair standing at 8 percent maximum. This is very good for pharmacists in the pharmacy industry preventing powder chemicals, bacteria and viruses including Coronavirus. The headband comes with a blue or white colour for identification.

FFP3

They have an aerosol filtration rate of 99 percent for those that are EN149 rated and 99.95 percent for those that are EN143. With internal leak peg at 2 percent this can hold down asbestos, ceramic including every other thing the others can prevent. They come with a red headband for easy identification from the others.

Heavy Duty Respirator Face Mask

They are more tight fitting. They are designed to form a circular or oval around the mouth and nose. Some come with an exhalation valve. The valve is to reduce build up of heat and humidity from long use. However, people with difficulty in breathing should avoid N95 with an exhalation valve.
They are mostly held in place by an headband. Few make use of buckle. When the band gets slack, it becomes necessary to change the mask altogether.

N Series

The N stands for 'not resistant to oil'

N95: This is the most popular among all the heavy duty respirators. They filter out as much as 95 % of particles from droplets to aerosol. Although it is said that viruses can still pass through because they are small in size, viruses don't survive on their own for long except with aerosol or droplets. This makes it very good to prevent covid-19 even if it is transmitted by aerosols or droplets.

N95 comes with different sizes. A wearer must choose the one that fits their face. They must test before use. The mask must cover every space if it must be effective. A good one covers even small holes created by things like face contour. Children and people with beard should go for a full face mask because these do not cover everywhere due to shape of face and beard.

95 means up to '95%' filtration ability. There is a modern nanoN95. It solves many problems associated with N95. It makes breathing very easy. However, it is not yet popular.

Heavy duty respirator

N99: is similar to N95 but the good thing is that it filters more particles.

N100: is good for preventing lead and asbestos (smoke) and sooth.

P100 Face Mask

They are more expensive and advance. The P stands for oil proof. It filters out as much as 99.97 of airborne particles. This means that both oil and non-oil based particles are effectively filtered out.

R100 Face Mask

The R stands for oil resistant. They can filter as much as 99.97 % of particles. And they are oil resistant.

Elastomeric Respirators (Full Or Half Facemask)

All N, R And P series facemask also comes with a full or half head cover. This is important for those with a beard. This is what most medical doctors and others fighting covid-19 wear before entering into an isolation center. They don't want to take chances. However, since covid-19 can be spread through eyes, this offers complete protection. Unlike the other facemask that will require eye goggles. Half-facepiece, tight-fitting respirators that are made. of synthetic or rubber material permitting them to be repeatedly disinfected, cleaned, and reused. – Equipped with exchangeable filter cartridge

Homemade Face Mask

Homemade masks are like surgical masks. They are made with materials found around the home. They are made from materials like scarf, toilet towels, etc. They offered different degrees of protection depending on the material used. However, they are not as effective as surgical masks. According to one study, it is better to wear one than to go bareface. And since they can be washed and reused, they become more economical to use.
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But before you become too confident with them, learn this. They are up to 50 times less effective in preventing airborne disease than N95. If you think that this comparison is too much, let us look at how effective they work against a lower competition, surgical facemask. The same study that came up with the first analysis concluded that homemade face masks are half as effective as surgical face masks. That is not all that bad when we consider so many factors.

If you did not understand the above very well, let us use another study. They said surgical masks perform 3 times better than homemade face masks in a bacterial filtration test and twice as effective as blocking droplets in a cough test.
All the facemask are disposable except home made. However, due to the shortage of mask due to the pandemic, scientist are studying the effect of various sterilization method and it's effect on the effectiveness of the mask. The duration of usage is also under investigation.

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