Masking has become a very serious problem in Coronavirus times, not only because it is difficult to buy them, but also because of the different effectiveness that one type of mask can have over another. Even if this site talks about technology, I would still like to dedicate a useful article to this emergency, with a collection of the most reliable video tutorials and the guides to make a mask at home that is a minimum effective to protect against infection, which can be used to go out shopping with a little more security.
I want to make it clear that this article is informative only, I have no medical skills and only what is written in authoritative sources such as Livescience.com will be reported.
READ ALSO: Updated map of Coronavirus infections in Italy and worldwide
First of all, as I have been able to study from the research done (I have no expertise in medicine, therefore I report what is written in authoritative sources such as Livescience.com), the truly effective masks are those with the abbreviation FFP2 and FFP3 (FFP stands for filtering face piece ), which adhere perfectly to the skin, cover the nose and mouth and have a valve for breathing. In the USA, respirator masks have the initials N95, which have an efficacy similar to FFP2 and N100, with superior efficacy to FFP3 (Source).
This type of mask is, however, practically unavailable and have a very high cost, even up to 100 Euros (and there are also filters to be changed). In addition, masks of this type are dedicated to health professionals, therefore, since they are few on the market, it is better to avoid buying them).
As for the surgical, green, thinner masks that are used in the operating room and by doctors, the big question these days is whether or not they are effective in protecting themselves from the infection of the Coronavirus .
While this type of mask works to protect itself from pathogens and pollution, it seems that they do not help much in the context of a virus, both because they are not designed to keep viral particles out, and because they are not perfectly adherent to the nose and cheeks. However, this does not mean that they are of no use at all. Although with modest and limited effect, surgical masks certainly help protect the person from attack and it is therefore important to wear them when going to the supermarket or pharmacy during a pandemic.
The most important effect of surgical masks is to protect others in the event that we are infected. Since Coronavirus can also be asymptomatic, it is worth wearing the mask in any case. Another positive effect of thin masks is to act as a barrier between the hands, mouth and nose.
In short, a surgical mask is certainly better than having no protection and also prevents you from touching your face with dirty hands, improving the chances of not being infected by the Coronavirus.
Other types of protective masks for the nose and mouth are those with the initials N95, N99 and P95, which are practically the masks against pollution, capable of filtering particulate particles. I haven't found many indications of their effectiveness against coronavirus, but I think they are at least as effective as surgical masks. Since some N95, N99 and P95 masks can still be found on Amazon, it may be a recommended purchase.
Given for good that the surgical mask works to protect itself from contagion, and even if they have minimal efficacy they are always better than nothing, then we try to make them at home. Unfortunately, surgical masks are also difficult to find both online and in pharmacies, so it's worth making them yourself.
Among the video tutorials that can be found on the net, some seem to have good answers.
1) The mask with parchment paper
To build an antivirus mask with parchment paper, all you need is elastic bands and staples with staples. You fold the baking paper in a certain way and then you can wear it using the rubber bands stapled on the paper. As I have read in the comments around, to have a good effectiveness it is necessary to use two layers of parchment paper, otherwise it remains too light and vulnerable.
Below a video to make the mask with parchment paper from the Youtube channel Arte per te
The problem with this type of mask is that it remains difficult to stick to the face, leaving many points uncovered. It is also advisable to use a double layer of paper.
An improvement of the oven mask could be this where a cotton fabric is also used
2) The mask with gauze
The homemade mask that personally gives me more confidence is the one designed by a pharmacist and published on the La Stampa channel.
This mask is really easy to do, you use a layer of fabric gauze to adhere to the skin and a layer of transparent film that keeps viruses away. Here too the problem is to make it adhere well to the skin, but since it has very small dimensions, it certainly protects better. To breathe through the mask made with plastic wrap, however, the air must pass sideways.
3) Mask with cotton, film and gauze
A Chinese doctor demonstrates, in this video, how to make masks at home to protect yourself from Coronavirus using cotton, film and gauze.
Finally, I found on Twitter, a simple method to test the effectiveness of a mask, that is, to blow on the flame of a lighter with the mask worn: if the fire goes out, the mask is worth nothing.
Other types of masks are certainly very original, such as those made using an absorbent, with a swiffer cloth or the cup of a bra. Certainly the masks made with fabric do not work, because the meshes of each fabric are too wide not to allow the droplets to pass. In any case it is important to note that all homemade masks, as well as surgical ones, must always be thrown away after use.
Finally, let's repeat what has been written in the Guardian:
Wearing a mask is certainly not a guarantee not to get sick, viruses can also be transmitted through the eyes and tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, which can penetrate surgical and homemade masks. However, masks are effective in catching saliva droplets, which are one of the main pathways for coronavirus transmission. If we are in close contact with someone infected, a mask reduces the chance of the disease being transmitted. If we have coronavirus symptoms or are diagnosed as positive, wearing a mask can protect others. So masks are recommended for family members who need to take care of someone who is sick (who must wear the mask in turn).
For those who go around the city or take a bus, the masks will probably make little difference.
The only way to truly protect yourself is to really stay home as long as possible and if you go out, keep yourself at least one meter away.
To conclude I leave the indication given by the Policlinico of Milan (click on the image to see it large)
I want to make it clear that this article is informative only, I have no medical skills and only what is written in authoritative sources such as Livescience.com will be reported.
READ ALSO: Updated map of Coronavirus infections in Italy and worldwide
types of coronavirus masks
First of all, as I have been able to study from the research done (I have no expertise in medicine, therefore I report what is written in authoritative sources such as Livescience.com), the truly effective masks are those with the abbreviation FFP2 and FFP3 (FFP stands for filtering face piece ), which adhere perfectly to the skin, cover the nose and mouth and have a valve for breathing. In the USA, respirator masks have the initials N95, which have an efficacy similar to FFP2 and N100, with superior efficacy to FFP3 (Source).
This type of mask is, however, practically unavailable and have a very high cost, even up to 100 Euros (and there are also filters to be changed). In addition, masks of this type are dedicated to health professionals, therefore, since they are few on the market, it is better to avoid buying them).
As for the surgical, green, thinner masks that are used in the operating room and by doctors, the big question these days is whether or not they are effective in protecting themselves from the infection of the Coronavirus .
While this type of mask works to protect itself from pathogens and pollution, it seems that they do not help much in the context of a virus, both because they are not designed to keep viral particles out, and because they are not perfectly adherent to the nose and cheeks. However, this does not mean that they are of no use at all. Although with modest and limited effect, surgical masks certainly help protect the person from attack and it is therefore important to wear them when going to the supermarket or pharmacy during a pandemic.
The most important effect of surgical masks is to protect others in the event that we are infected. Since Coronavirus can also be asymptomatic, it is worth wearing the mask in any case. Another positive effect of thin masks is to act as a barrier between the hands, mouth and nose.
In short, a surgical mask is certainly better than having no protection and also prevents you from touching your face with dirty hands, improving the chances of not being infected by the Coronavirus.
Other types of protective masks for the nose and mouth are those with the initials N95, N99 and P95, which are practically the masks against pollution, capable of filtering particulate particles. I haven't found many indications of their effectiveness against coronavirus, but I think they are at least as effective as surgical masks. Since some N95, N99 and P95 masks can still be found on Amazon, it may be a recommended purchase.
How to create an effective homemade mask
Given for good that the surgical mask works to protect itself from contagion, and even if they have minimal efficacy they are always better than nothing, then we try to make them at home. Unfortunately, surgical masks are also difficult to find both online and in pharmacies, so it's worth making them yourself.
Among the video tutorials that can be found on the net, some seem to have good answers.
1) The mask with parchment paper
To build an antivirus mask with parchment paper, all you need is elastic bands and staples with staples. You fold the baking paper in a certain way and then you can wear it using the rubber bands stapled on the paper. As I have read in the comments around, to have a good effectiveness it is necessary to use two layers of parchment paper, otherwise it remains too light and vulnerable.
Below a video to make the mask with parchment paper from the Youtube channel Arte per te
The problem with this type of mask is that it remains difficult to stick to the face, leaving many points uncovered. It is also advisable to use a double layer of paper.
An improvement of the oven mask could be this where a cotton fabric is also used
2) The mask with gauze
The homemade mask that personally gives me more confidence is the one designed by a pharmacist and published on the La Stampa channel.
This mask is really easy to do, you use a layer of fabric gauze to adhere to the skin and a layer of transparent film that keeps viruses away. Here too the problem is to make it adhere well to the skin, but since it has very small dimensions, it certainly protects better. To breathe through the mask made with plastic wrap, however, the air must pass sideways.
3) Mask with cotton, film and gauze
A Chinese doctor demonstrates, in this video, how to make masks at home to protect yourself from Coronavirus using cotton, film and gauze.
Finally, I found on Twitter, a simple method to test the effectiveness of a mask, that is, to blow on the flame of a lighter with the mask worn: if the fire goes out, the mask is worth nothing.
#mascherinepertutti #mascherine I'm not an expert, I can't swear that the lady is right, but the test works! @RegLombardia pic.twitter.com/XsgFBdSapP - Monica La Rivière (@Monicalariv) March 15, 2020
Other types of masks are certainly very original, such as those made using an absorbent, with a swiffer cloth or the cup of a bra. Certainly the masks made with fabric do not work, because the meshes of each fabric are too wide not to allow the droplets to pass. In any case it is important to note that all homemade masks, as well as surgical ones, must always be thrown away after use.
Finally, let's repeat what has been written in the Guardian:
Wearing a mask is certainly not a guarantee not to get sick, viruses can also be transmitted through the eyes and tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, which can penetrate surgical and homemade masks. However, masks are effective in catching saliva droplets, which are one of the main pathways for coronavirus transmission. If we are in close contact with someone infected, a mask reduces the chance of the disease being transmitted. If we have coronavirus symptoms or are diagnosed as positive, wearing a mask can protect others. So masks are recommended for family members who need to take care of someone who is sick (who must wear the mask in turn).
For those who go around the city or take a bus, the masks will probably make little difference.
The only way to truly protect yourself is to really stay home as long as possible and if you go out, keep yourself at least one meter away.
To conclude I leave the indication given by the Policlinico of Milan (click on the image to see it large)
