Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Face mask Medical waste is medical waste that cannot be disposed of carelessly. One step in disposing of medical masks can lead to transmission Covid-19. Here’s how to properly dispose of a medical mask.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, wearing masks is mandatory. Masks can protect a person from infection with Covid-19.
Citing a page Covid-19 task force, the use of medical masks provides 30-95 percent protection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, depending on the type of mask. However, it is certain that medical masks protect more from the Covid-19 virus than cloth masks whose effectiveness is only 10 percent.
Since the spread of the delta variant of Covid-19 transmission, the public is advised to use double masks in the form of medical masks on the inside and cloth masks on the outside to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
Keep in mind, medical masks are not items that can be used many times. Medical masks can only be used once with a maximum period of 6 hours. After that, the mask should be discarded.
Disposing of medical masks cannot be careless. Here’s how to properly dispose of medical masks according to Ministry of Health.
1. Collect used medical masks
Medical masks should ideally not be worn for more than 6 hours because it can reduce the effectiveness of the mask. If you use a medical mask all day, there may be 3-4 used masks that need to be thrown away.
You need to collect your used masks throughout the day before throwing them in the trash.
2. Disinfectant
After collecting used masks, disinfect them.
You do this by soaking the mask that has been used in a disinfectant or chlorine solution.
3. Change the shape of the mask
Disinfected masks should be cut at the straps, or tear the mask in the middle.
Changing the shape of the mask can prevent masks from being reused by irresponsible people.
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Illustration. Disposable medical masks must be disposed of in a proper manner. (iStockphoto/LeoPatrizi)- – |
4. Throw it in the trash
Throw the mask that you have reshaped into the trash. It is better to dispose of the mask in a transparent plastic bag to make it easier for medical staff to process the waste.
5. Wash hands
After all these steps, wash your hands with soap and running water or use hand sanitizer.
“It is hoped that by following the stages of managing used masks as above, the potential risk of transmission due to the misuse of masks can be avoided,” said Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Service Bureau, Widyawati.
(mail/asr)
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