New variant of Corona virus B.1.1.529 or varian Omicron has been detected in a number of countries, one of which is Hong Kong. In that country, transmission is associated with valve mask.
An investigation by microbiologist Yuwn Kwok Yung found that patients infected with the Omicron variant previously wore valve masks when traveling.
“This mask is a bit selfish… when the air is blown through the air valve, it’s not filtered, it’s not good,” he said.
Not recommended since 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since August 2020 has issued an appeal so that people do not use exhaust masks or masks that have ventilation and valves to be used as a Corona prevention method.
The use of this type of mask allows the air inside the mask, which may have a virus in it, to be blown out through the valve opening.
“Masks with valves or breathing vents should NOT be worn to help prevent people wearing masks from spreading COVID-19 to others,” the CDC wrote on its website.
Pulmonary experts also agree that the use of valve masks is not effective in preventing COVID-19. Because its use can actually harm other people.
This mask with a one-way valve is intended for use in construction work, allowing the user to inhale filtered air and exhale warm, moist air through the valve. This valve reduces heat and moisture inside the mask, making it more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
But this design does not prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The main reason for wearing a mask in the COVID-19 era is to prevent droplets from spreading into the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks.
But when the mask has a valve, droplets from the wearer are released into the air and can infect others.
“The valve mask is a breath from the wearer out, so if the wearer of the valve mask is sick with COVID-19, then the air coming out of the mask endangers the surroundings, so it is not recommended,” said Dr Agus Dwi Susanto, Sp P(K), to detikHealth, Saturday (11/27/2021).
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