Guide on the Medical Mask, Respirators (N95) Features
MEDICAL MASK – Are you wondering about the difference between medical or surgical masks and respirators which include the N95 and N99?
One of the most visible marks of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is the people wearing face masks. Before the pandemic happened, medical masks are only used in hospitals and in dealing with individuals who have low immune systems and are under treatment.
When the pandemic happened, the national government and the health department in the country called for the wearing of face masks as part of the efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Social distancing is also a protocol.
It is more than a year now that the usual outfit of the people already includes a face mask. Some are into clothe mask while others use a medical mask. There are also those who prefer wearing respirators which include the N95 and the N99 masks.
You might also be wondering about the differences between a medical mask and an N95 mask or a respirator. Based on an article on World Health Organization’s website, medical masks are:
- made up of 3 layers of synthetic woven materials
- made to have filtration layers sandwiched in the middle
- available in different thicknesses
- geared with different fluid-resistance and filtration levels
Based on the article, a medical mask and a respirator mask like the N95 are of the same value when it comes to protection for the one wearing it and it is just that respirators are made for specific scenarios. They have tightly fitted components and are recommended for healthcare workers assigned to treat COVID-19 patients in areas where aerosol-generating procedures are done.
It is important that the respirator mask fits the person wearing it well as loose-fitting may not offer protection to the individual. It may allow the particles to get inside the mask.
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