The COVID-19 pandemic is still here, so it’s essential that people follow all the safety practices to avoid contracting the disease. Considering the changing mandates, business practices, and local Coronavirus transmission, masks will likely remain useful. Fortunately, you have high-quality face masks available on the market. Nowadays, face masks are being manufactured using clothes and specialized fabrics, depending upon their intended use. For critical service providers like healthcare and sanitation workers, there are better options to ensure more protection. However, masks for general public can be an ordinary one as well.
You can find many high-quality options, and choose from disposable and reusable masks. Nowadays, comfortable cloth masks are made using high grade fabric that ensures better filter, nearly as good as medical grade masks. Plus, these masks can be adjusted for a more secure fit. It’s just that everyone can find something that they feel good and safe wearing. Even experts recommend a variety of cloth options to ensure a perfect balance between fit and comfort with better filtration efficiency and breathability.
Fashion designers as well as medical companies have also come up with a huge variety of products to help combat the pandemic. Wearing masks is essential and it’s not just for infected people, but healthy individuals as well.
Infectious disease specialists, fashion experts as well as aerosol scientists have come together to pin point crucial design details that can have a great impact on how a mask feels and fits. Overall, it’s all about creating a product that can help reduce person-to-person viral transmission. Additionally, lab tests are also being conducted to assess the filtration efficiency and breathability of these masks.
Various factors come into play when designing a mask:
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Fluid resistance
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Breathability
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Particulate filtration
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Bacterial filtration
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Flammability
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Comfort and fit
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Wash your hands or sanitize your hands before putting on the mask
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Avoid touching the mask while wearing it
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Reusable masks must be washed after every use
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Remove masks only by ear loops
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Wash your hands after removing the masks
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Dispose of the disposable mask
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Wear two face masks, if mandatory (wear one disposable mask underneath the cloth mask)
You can easily find comfortable cloth based face mask that are ASTM rated to ensure proper level of protection. As a user, you must pay attention to these details before purchasing a mask. However, you must follow necessary safety practices with your mask, such as: