Ever since health specialists, WHO and CDC have emphasized upon the importance of wearing masks to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, the question has been asked: what kind of mask is the best?
While most experts agree that N95 face masks offer the best protection against Covid-19; the point is that N95 masks are meant generally for specialised use by healthcare providers. Besides, they can get uncomfortable to wear for a long time, especially for kids.
Among the various types of masks available in the market, the 3-ply surgical face mask is the most recommended for adults and kids. And with the monsoon set to arrive in some parts of India, particularly northward and westward over the next few weeks, three-ply masks have an advantage over other masks.
3-ply masks are ideal for Monsoons
At a webinar hosted by the Indian Scientists’ Response to CoViD-19 (ISRC), a group of more than 700 scientists, public health researchers, doctors, and engineers across the country, it was reasoned that it is most suitable to use the 3 ply surgical masks during the monsoon season. Scientist Arnab Bhattacharya at the TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research), Mumbai, stated that the 3 ply surgical masks have an outward layer that does not get wet during the monsoon.
A 3-ply surgical mask basically comprises of three different layers of nonwoven fabric and each layer has a specific function to perform. The outermost hydrophobic layer is waterproof. It repels all fluids such as water droplets and mucosalivary droplets. The middle melt-blown layer is the filter which thwarts germs or pathogens from infiltrating in either direction. The soft innermost layer is made of absorbent materials that absorbs the fluids from your own mouth and nose, such as spit and sweat. Together, all these three layers of the 3 ply mask efficiently protect the user as well as the people around him/her by minimizing the infiltration of germs in either direction.
Professor Arnab Bhattacharya further stated that the majority of 3 ply face masks are equipped with a hydrophobic exterior. You can check whether the 3 ply face mask consists of hydrophobic layer or not by simply putting a drop of water onto the face mask. If the 3 ply face mask is water resistant, the droplet will simply roll off.
For kids, 3 ply masks are best suited as they are comfortable to wear and do what they are meant to do!
How to wear the 3ply mask?
It is important to wear the 3 ply mask correctly. Always remember, that the side of the mask that is lighter in colour is meant to be inside, whereas the darker side, that has hydrophobic layer, should be worn outside.
Are 3-ply masks reusable if they get wet?
Considering that the inside of the mask is not water resistant, it is best to change it, in case the mask gets wet from inside. You can also leave it to dry before using it again. However, if the mask gets totally drenched, it is recommended that you discard it. After all, the efficiency of masks reduces extensively if they get wet and will make the mask lose its purpose. Generally, it is advised that 3-ply masks should not be worn for more than 4-8 hours.
3-ply masks are always in demand, and you may come across some inauthentic ones that provide no protection. Thus, you need to be extra cautious about where you buy masks from. Buy the mask from a reputed 3 ply kids mask factory that provides only the genuine 3-ply kids masks which offer complete protection against COVID-19. Besides, make sure their masks are verified and tested.