— Dr KK Aggarwal
Below are the new guidelines for use of masks when in public.
1. Yale Researchers found that the death rate from COVID-19 is up to 10% lower in the countries with masked populations.
2. Cloth masks may help with spread of infection when used in conjunction with hand washing and physical distancing.
3. One study done in 2013 showed that 100% cotton t-shirts could have 69% effectiveness in protecting against organisms that are sized similar to flu viruses, and linen has 60-61%.
4. Do a “light” test: the less light that passes through the mask, the more effective it is.
5. People have used old bras
6. 2-3 ply masks: extra fabric helps filter out particles.
7. Putting a vacuum filter, or even a coffee filter, between layers of fabric may help as it causes some electrostatic friction which may ‘trap’ particles in the mask so you won’t breathe them.
8. To sterilize, you need to use the hot water cycle in the washer, and heat dry. For this reason, synthetic fabrics may not be good.
9. Take off your mask when you get home. Place it in a plastic bag until you’re ready to do laundry. Masks should be treated as dirty and contaminated after each use.
10. Wearing a mask is an add-on, not a replacement, for physical distancing and hand hygiene.
((The writer is President, CMAAO, HCFI and Past national President IMA))
