COVID-19 : Protect With Surgical Mask + Eyewear!

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Here are the scientifically and medically-recommended ways to protect yourself against the COVID-19 virus. Please ignore the many FAKE NEWS and FAKE ADVICE!

Please read and SHARE this article with your family and friends, and please ignore trolls who tell you that Vitamin C or rasam will cure or prevent infection by this virus!

COVID-19 : Protect With Surgical Mask + Eyewear!

 

COVID-19 | SARS-CoV-2 : A Quick Explainer

First of all, we should clarify that SARS-CoV-2 is the official name of 2019-nCoV, in recognition of how closely it resembles the SARS virus, genetically.

The disease it causes is called COVID-19, which is short for Coronavirus Disease 2019.

COVID-19 should be used when you refer to the disease, and SARS-CoV-2 when referring to the virus. But for ease of understanding, we may use COVID-19 coronavirus to replace SARS-CoV-2.

Recommended : COVID-19 Coronavirus Symptoms Revealed In JAMA Study!

Coronavirus generic

 

COVID-19 : Protect With Surgical Masks + Eyewear!

For those who just want a quick and simple summary, this is what you need to do :

Recommended : Surgical Mask : How To CORRECTLY Wear + Remove!

 

Face Masks vs Surgical Masks vs N95 Respirators

It is very important for us to differentiate face masks from surgical / medical masks, and N95 respirators.

Face masks are generally worn for fashion, although their users may believe that they can filter out dust. They are usually reusable, being made from washable cotton, and often lack a filter.

Face Mask vs Surgical Mask

A proper 3-ply surgical or medical mask, on the other hand, has three layers – each with very specific functions :

  • an outer hydrophobic layer, which repels water, blood and body fluids,
  • a middle filter layer that is designed to filter bacteria, and
  • an inner hydrophilic layer, which absorbs water, sweat and spit

3-ply surgical mask layers

There are also 2-ply face masks that are usually made from the same material – fabric or polypropylene or other kinds of non-woven material. There is NO FILTER layer. These are usually used in the spa or food industry.

Finally, we have N95 respirators that are designed to form a tight seal over your mouth and nose, and will filter 95% of particles with a median diameter of 0.3 microns.

Recommended : Face Masks – Do They Really Help With Haze / Air Pollution?

Surgical mask vs N95 respirator

 

Surgical Masks Are As Effective As N95 Respirators

N95 respirators are all the rage in Asia, because they are the only effective personal filtration solution for the haze.

However, a new CDC-sponsored study, published in JAMA on 3 September 2019, showed that surgical masks are as effective as N95 respirators in preventing influenza infections amongst healthcare workers.

While studies will need to be conducted to determine how effective surgical masks are against the COVID-19 coronavirus, we do know that it is larger than, or as large as, the influenza A virus

Based on the influenza test results, it is likely that the COVID-19 coronavirus will be as effectively blocked by a 3-ply surgical mask.

Surgical Masks Are Effective Against Influenza!

Surgical masks also help reduce infections by preventing users from touching their faces with dirty / infected hands.

This is important because many people do not get infected by breathing in viral particles floating in the air, but by touching their mouth and nose with their contaminated hands.

So please make sure you wear your surgical mask properly, and regularly wash your hands with soap!

However, please note that unless you are living in a COVID-19 hotspot, there is NO NEED to wear surgical masks!

Recommended : Hand Sanitiser vs Soap : Which Should We Use?

 

Where To Buy Surgical Masks

Before you rush out to buy surgical masks, please make sure they are proper 3-layer surgical masks, and not 2-ply face masks or fashion masks. Here are some online purchase options :

 

Eyewear May Be Needed Against COVID-19

Wang Guangfa, a Chinese respiratory specialist was infected by COVID-19, despite taking precautions including wearing an N95 respirator.

He believes it may have infected him through his eyes, a possibility that is being investigated but has yet to be confirmed.

Wang Guangfa COVID-19 coronavirus

Out of an abundance of caution, healthcare workers who are in direct contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases are wearing protective eyewear.

At the moment, the scientific consensus is that there is no need for the public to wear protective eyewear.

However, if one of your family members may be infected with COVID-19, you should wear protective eyewear as a precaution.

Recommended : Rasam Antidote For Wuhan | Nipah | SARS Viruses Debunked!

There is no need to purchase specialised medical eyewear. Just use whatever you have at home – workman’s protective glasses, spectacles, sunglasses or even swimming googles.

But if you really want a cheap, cool-looking protective glasses that cover both ocular orbits, this is what I’m using – the Honeywell A700 safety glasses.

Honeywell A700 safety glasses

Here are some online purchase options if you are interested to get the Honeywell A700 as well :

 

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