Choose mask to block novel coronavirus pneumonia

During the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia, it is effective to prevent virus infection by choosing and using masks properly. This program invites Liu Fang, deputy director of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, to introduce in detail how to choose the right mask for you.

There are several common types of masks:

Ordinary cotton mask.

Ordinary cotton mask: This is the most common kind of mask, which people often wear in daily life.

Disposable medical masks.

Disposable medical mask: its protection level is only lower than that of medical surgical mask.

Medical surgical mask.

Medical surgical mask: there is a filter layer in the middle, which can block body fluids, blood, bacteria and some particles.

N95 mask.

N95 mask: actually, N95 is not a product name, but an international commonly used standard, which refers to the filtration efficiency of particulate matter, reaching more than 95%. It is applicable to the supplement of medical personnel when the supply of medical protective masks is insufficient. It is unnecessary to use N95 masks as standard for healthy ordinary people.

According to the above introduction, each of us can choose the right mask according to the exposure risk.

Masks are recommended for people with low risk exposure.

Under normal circumstances, people engaged in indoor and outdoor activities at home, children and students in open places, and workers in well ventilated workplaces belong to low-risk exposed groups. They can choose to wear non-medical masks such as cotton gauze as appropriate to reduce the spread of droplets caused by coughing, sneezing and speaking.

Masks are recommended for people with lower risk exposure.

The public in the densely populated areas such as supermarkets, shopping malls, vehicles, elevators, etc.; the staff in the indoor office environment; the patients in medical institutions except for the hot diagnosis; the children and students in kindergartens who concentrate on learning and activities, etc., belong to the lower risk exposure group, so it is recommended to wear disposable medical masks instead of pursuing high-level protective masks.

Masks are recommended for people with moderate risk exposure.

General outpatient and ward staff; staff in hospitals, airports, railway stations, subways, ground buses, airplanes, trains, supermarkets, restaurants and other densely populated places; employees engaged in administrative management, police, security, express delivery and other industries related to the epidemic; people living in isolation and with them. It is recommended to wear medical surgical masks for people with moderate risk exposure.

Masks are recommended for those at higher risk.

Emergency department staff, medical staff, etc.; public health doctors who carry out epidemiological investigation on close contacts; environmental and biological sample testing personnel related to the epidemic situation. It is recommended to wear the particle respirator meeting N95 / kn95 and above standards as it belongs to the population with high risk exposure;

Masks are recommended for people with high risk exposure.

The novel coronavirus infected ward of patients with pneumonia, ICU and observation room were all admitted to the ward, and doctors and nurses designated for fever clinics in medical institutions. Public health doctors who conducted epidemiological surveys on confirmed cases and suspected cases were exposed to high-risk exposures and need to wear medical masks. When the medical masks were in short supply, they could be selected to meet N95/. Kn95 and above standard particle respirator shall be replaced.

In a word, what kind of mask to wear should be considered based on the environment and risk of personal exposure, and everyone should choose the appropriate mask according to their own situation.

The masks of the general public do not need to be replaced once, but can be used for an extended time according to the cleanliness.

If the mask needs to be used again, it can be hung in a clean, dry and ventilated place or placed in a clean and breathable paper bag. Masks should be stored separately to avoid contact with each other.

High risk exposure personnel need to change masks after receiving highly suspected patients. Masks worn by other risk exposed personnel can be used repeatedly. Wash hands as required before wearing the mask, and avoid touching the inside of the mask. If the mask becomes dirty, deformed, damaged or has peculiar smell, it shall be replaced in time.