Which mask is useful if you are taking care of Covid-19 patients?

by Aneeza Sehrish
Which mask is useful if you are taking care of Covid-19 patients?

When the world is going through the Corona outbreak, there are the icons which are serving humanity, putting their lives in danger. These stars are the doctors and paramedical staff who are interacting day and night with the infected persons to take care of them.

Currently, 45% of the doctors and medical staff are suffering from Corona, and a considerable number of them have lost their lives in this war on a global level. So, let us have a look at which masks are best if you are taking care of a Covid-19 patient:

Surgical masks

Most doctors and health care workers wear surgical masks. These masks act as the first line of defense in preventing the inhalation of large droplets when an infected person is sneezing or coughing. Surgical masks are weak in overcoming the virus because they do not inhibit smaller particles from passing through them.

N95

N95 is protective against up to 95 percent of the invisible microbes, including viruses and bacteria. Also, to a plus point, they have an exhalation valve to compensate humidity level and heat inside the mask.

Face Filtering Piece (FFP)

Face Filtering Piece (FFP) face masks are best for protection if you are taking care of an infected person. It is classified into FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3 based on the protection percentage they provide. Their percentage ranges between 85, 89 and 92 respectively. In the same way, they purify the inhaling air from dust, chemicals, and then from both.

Other Precautionary Measures

Following are some other precautions doctors and health workers should follow strictly to keep them safe from this pandemic disease.

·        Check and Balance for Visitors

There should be a proper way of managing and monitoring visitors. Nevertheless, try to avoid this and use social media to interact with your loved ones.

·        Engineering Control

Hospitals should maintain physical barriers or keep the prescribed distance between patients and doctors or paramedical staff.

·        Managing Health Personnel

Health care organizations and authorities should make policies and facilitate their staff sick leaves suffering from the coronavirus.

·        Training for Health Professionals

In this scenario, there should be proper training courses for hospital staff to deal with any emergency.

Bottomline

To conclude, I would just plead you all to stay at home, not for yourself but your loved ones. Think of the doctors and paramedical staff who are executing their duties irrespective of day and night. Stay safe at home and follow the precautions to stand by each other in this situation.

by Aneeza Sehrish