Now that face masks are again not only mandatory in the shop or in busy places, but very often also just on the street, the Federal Public Service Economy advises which are the best and which do not offer any protection to yourself or others. Anyone who has just bought one with a fancy valve on the side can leave it in the drawer.
–
First of all, there is a difference between surgical masks, comfort masks and FFP2 / FFP3 masks. “Today, the latter are mainly used in the medical sector and protect the wearer themselves”, it sounds. “But the ones that the average Fleming mainly carries are the other two types. The surgical ones are the well-known blue ones that you often see in the streets. These are actually intended to protect the patient against possible contamination of the nursing staff. ” But they can just as well serve to take them to the store or to get on the tram.
–Photo: RR
No valves
Where there are more problems with quality, what remains is the reusable comfort masks. “Let’s start with the fabric mouth masks”, it sounds. “You have three categories of that. You have the specimens provided by the federal government that you could pick up at the pharmacy. They are of course safe. We also often see people who use a scarf. This is only possible if you do not have a mask with you and if you wear two layers of fabric over the mouth and nose. But within this category are the greatest safety differences. For example, you have the community masks of football clubs, retail chains, etc. They are safe as long as they are made according to the recommendations of the FPS Public Health. There are more problems with those where there is a valve on the side. Something we see more and more often in the streets, but they only protect the wearer and not the other people. They allow the exhaled air and any virus particles to pass through and therefore offer insufficient protection for others. ”
–Photo: FOD Economie
Plastic
The masks that the FPS also warns against, are the ones that use plastic. “The so-called face shield – faceshield – in which your entire face is covered, is only allowed if you cannot wear a mouth mask for medical reasons. Be sure to consult your doctor about this. It does not completely stop drops, but is better than nothing in those cases. If you do not have a valid medical reason, this type of mask is certainly not enough. Of course you can wear a face shield in addition to another suitable mouth mask. With the other plastic mouth masks, only the versions with a plastic part for the mouth surrounded by fabric that covers the mouth and nose are suitable. All other plastic screens rest on either the nose or the chin and are completely open on the other sides. They do not only protect yourself, but also other people. ”
The FPS also has a few tips. “It is normal to feel that you have less air when you wear a mouth mask. It means the mask is working. Therefore, do not make heavy efforts when wearing the mask. And always read the instructions for use in advance, if available. That way you know immediately how to wear the mask, whether you should wash it before first use and for which ages it is suitable. ”
More tips can be found at info-coronavirus.be.
No mouth mask on? That’s how quickly the virus spreads in a room
THIS IS IT. How do you wear a mouth mask?
This is how you make mouth masks from a T-shirt
– .
