What is the worst source of Covid infection in practice ?
The answer is a surprise and given at the end.
Mask facts- practical tips.
Masks are many types.
• N95 mask
• Surgical mask ( Triple layered)
• Cotton mask.
Each has its own use and uniqueness.
( I personally use cotton masks during my morning walk and in all places except hospital.)
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N95 mask and surgical masks are meant only for Medical use. Yes, that is the fact. They are meant for a situation when a positive case is likely to sneeze or cough right on your face from a very close quarter. Like when you are taking a nasal swab, or examining the tonsils.
But they have some limitations though. These masks are impermeable to liquid. That also means, in the hot humid climate of June and July, they won’t allow your own sweat and moisture to escape. So it becomes uncomfortable to wear them for even one hour without adjusting. Once you touch them, their sanctity is lost.
Surgeons and intensivists usually change them after each procedure.
But during the Covid 19 Pandemic, you are supposed to wear them for at least 12 continuous hours a day.
It is impossible to wear a N95 mask for 12 hours properly. So don’t wear it unless your job demands that you have to examine 100 faces from close quarters like in a public dealing.
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Why N95 may not be that indispensable in public during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Coronavirus spreads by droplets.
Droplet infection is different from air borne infection. An air borne virus hangs in the air for hours and it is possible that you may suck a mouthful of them into your lungs in a dip breath.
On the contrary, this droplet doesn’t hang in the air, it immediately settles down on a surface.
It is unlikely that a droplet should fall straight on the white of your eye or inside your mouth and then infect you.
Most likely it will fall on your body. But that is harmless. But when you touch that part and then touch inside your nose, eyes or mouth afterwards you self infect yourself.
So nobody can give you infection in a public place unless you score yourself a self goal.
When you cover these three body parts, you can’t touch them even subconsciously.
You must wear an eye goggles, a face cover to keep those parts safe from your own hand.
Cotton masks are best for this purpose. They are washable, reusable and you can carry a pack of cotton masks with you. If one gets soiled, replace it.
But how do you clean your N95 ? How do you remove the smell, dirt and sweat from it ?
It is not to be washed. You may leave it in open air for few days before reusing it. That may be fine in cold climates or during the winters. But in our Indian monsoons, reusing underwears without washing doesn’t seem agreeable to me.
So what is your routine with your N95 ?
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The Trojan horse.
So the million dollars question is what is the real source of coronavirus for you ?
It is your own hand.
Don’t be surprised, your own hand your single biggest source of infection a chunk in your armor.
For you, the worst source of infection is not someone else but your own hand which touches million papers, mobiles, pens, books, files in a day and then lets them into your eyes or nose subconsciously. Please don’t touch your mask without sanitizing your hand.
If you are using one N95 mask over 6 hours, most likely you are self infecting you. One N95 mask by definition should cut off 95% of your oxygen supply as well. How can you wear it for 6 hours without adjusting it ? And helping few viruses entering into your mask from your hand in the course.
Remember, your mask is sacred. It should smell pleasant, airy, breathable so that you fall in love of wearing it for hours.
Make them your fashion statement and stay safe.
Dr Ramakanta's Ideas 