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WHY ARE PEOPLE CONFUSED ABOUT THE MEDICAL MASKS?
Odd or Even? Diaper or Surgical? N 95s, Meltblowns, Maggots, Chemicals… We can’t just call it a mask and look for answers for our confused heads.
With the pandemic, masks became part of our lives. Although many vaccines have been developed against coronavirus, experts often repeat warnings about the distance and cleanliness of the mask, even if vaccinated. We understand distance and hygiene, but we’re still very confused about masks because every head makes a sound.
Simulations of the world’s fastest supercomputer in Japan have shown that wearing a double mask, contrary to the claim of some scientists, “does not provide much more protection than 11%” against viruses than a single mask.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a study on the use of double masks in recent months. As part of the study, one of the two artificial heads capable of breathing was worn with a single mask and the other with a double mask. Covid-19 particles were sprayed on both heads from a distance of about two meters. According to research results, it was found that a single mask blocks 40% of the particles, while when a double mask is worn, this figure increases to 80 percent. As a result, if a second layer, such as a piece of fabric, was installed on disposable masks, the amount of particles whose passage was blocked increased.
Experts in our country, especially when new variants begin to appear and 3. during this period of wave, the use of double masks provides effective protection. Single or double, in recent weeks, there have been reports of harmful chemicals in the masks, even maggots playing in the mask.
Isn’t one mask enough to protect against coronavirus? Is the double mask more protective? Are there really harmful chemicals and maggots in the masks? Surgical mask, N 95, N 99, cloth mask? How many times can we use masks by airing them?
We wanted to ask our Turkish experts thousands of crazy questions circulating in our heads and enlighten us thoroughly about the mask.
Istanbul Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine Infectious Diseases Clinical Microbiology Specialist Doctor and both Infectious Diseases and clinical microbiology specialist at Antalya Educational and Research Hospital Assoc. Doctor and Internal Medicine Specialist Doctor answered our questions;
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1. HOW EFFECTIVE DO YOU THINK IT IS TO USE A DOUBLE MASK TO PROTECT AGAINST COVID-19?
When using a single mask, we can breathe the virus from the edges of our mask while breathing, since the mask cannot fit fully on the face. When a double mask is worn, the outer mask puts a slight pressure on the edges of the inner mask, helping the inner mask fit tighter on our face, which allows for better sealing. A scientific study in Turkey confirms this.
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2. WHICH MASKS ARE SUITABLE FOR DOUBLE WEARING, WHICH ARE NOT?
Surgical wire masks are more suitable for wearing as double masks. At the same time, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) also recommends a surgical mask on the inside and a cloth mask on the outside. Because it makes it difficult to get air, the N95 does not recommend wearing a second mask together with the mask.
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3. IS IT RIGHT TO USE IT BY KNOTTING THE EDGES OF THE MASK? IF THE MOUTH AND NOSE ARE CLOSED CORRECTLY, WILL ONE MASK BE ENOUGH?
It is the right way to use it by throwing knots, as it provides better sealing and prevents the virus from entering the cheek edges. If the mouth and nose are completely closed, it is enough to use a single mask.
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4. HOW MANY TIMES CAN SURGICAL MASKS BE USED? HOW LONG AFTER THE MAXIMUM SHOULD BE CHANGED?
The masks used by most of us (surgical mask, medical mask) are disposable, should be used for a limited time. This period may vary depending on the situation in which the person is located. For example, in someone sitting in an office, this time may be long, while in people who work at a certain pace, it should be changed in a much shorter time. At the same time, regardless of the location, condition and duration, if a condition such as contamination or wetting has occurred in the mask, it should be changed immediately. Therefore, the time as the time of change of masks can vary depending on the situation, but the same mask should never be used for days.
Masks must be changed when they are wet or deformed. Usually, after five or six hours, you need to change the mask.
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5. CAN MASKS BE DISINFECTED AND REUSED?
Some studies have been done to re-use the surgical masks we use after disinfection, but clearly the standards have not been fully established. Considering the need for these procedures to be performed under certain conditions and by a professional team, it is very clear that disinfection cannot be performed individually in society at this stage. The biggest concern is that it cannot be determined whether its protection will continue after the procedure, and it is not known what side effects the material to be used in this process may cause during subsequent use. In other words, what needs to be known at the moment is that the disinfection process is not reliable and should not be performed due to its possible side effects.
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6. HOW MUCH SHOULD WE RELY ON THE PROTECTION OF FABRIC AND WASHABLE MASKS?
The World Health Organization has reported that cloth masks can be used in society. Cloth masks, especially made of cotton, can be used, but there is no set standard for them, and it is not clear how much their contribution to protection is. At the same time, there are concerns about their reliability, as they do not have a production standard, do not pass inspection. Cloth masks can be washed, but it should be noted that they must be replaced after a certain period of time, as Wear will occur as a result of each wash.
Fabric masks are protective if produced in accordance with the standards, but the founder rate is lower than other masks. Because its protection is extremely low, such as 51%, it is more convenient to wear a second mask and a fabric mask together, which is reliable.
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7. IS IT RIGHT TO USE THE SAME MASK BY AIRING IT? WHICH MASKS ARE SUITABLE FOR THIS?
Masks such as surgery and N95-N99 are not suitable for ventilation and reuse. Cloth masks can also not be used by ventilation, but can be used after washing and drying at 60 degrees. If the mask is not wet or deformed, that is, if it is used for a short time, it can be ventilated and used because the filter property is not lost.
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8. WHAT PROBLEMS DOES LONG-TERM USE OF MASKS CREATE?
When we use masks for a long time, we are more likely to touch their front faces, which are likely to be dirty often, and this can lead to the spread of the disease due to the risk of contact with the places we often touch. One of the important risks is that its effectiveness may disappear after moisture or wetting, which may occur due to long-term use. Since the front faces of the masks are considered dirty, the front face should not be touched during insertion and removal, masks should not be left indiscriminately on frequently touched surfaces, and should not be placed in the pocket of the pants or jacket by folding. It will not cause dampness, it can be kept in a sealed paper bag for a certain period of time. It should also be noted that masks left for a long time in inappropriate environments can lead to various skin diseases after reuse. As a result, when choosing a mask, we should choose products whose standards are set and subject to supervision by institutions, and when there is wetting and contamination, we must change them at certain intervals, although there is no wetting or visible contamination.
Exposure to chemical waste and microplastics in surgical masks can damage the respiratory system and lungs, German scientists have said. (Fluorocarbon and formaldehyde substances, especially found in surgical masks)
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9. HOW SHOULD WE CHOOSE A MASK TO PROTECT AGAINST THESE EFFECTS?
We should not use poor quality masks that do not have CE, TSE certificate and are not approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
On the other hand, it is claimed that there is no “meltblown” substance that provides 98% protection in commercial sold masks against coronavirus.
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10. WHAT EXACTLY IS MELTBLOWN THAT ACTS AS A FILTER?
Meltblown is a substance that has a filter property as an intermediate layer in masks. This item already exists in masks with CE and TSE patents. So pay attention to the patent on it when buying a mask. If masks are not produced under appropriate standards and hygienic conditions, of course, things can be harmful to human health.
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11. WHAT SHOULD WE PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN BUYING MASKS? WHAT DOES THE STUFF ON IT MEAN?
It should be stranded, meltblown, have quality standards, have three layers, have dermatological tests, do not contain harmful chemicals such as paraben-latex-nylon, etc. For this reason, make sure that these properties are written on it when buying a mask.
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12. ARE FFP MASKS BETTER PROTECTED? WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FFP1, FFP2 (N95), FFP3 (N99)?
FFP masks provide better protection. FFP1 provides at least 80% protection, at least 95% protection on FFP2 – N97, at least 99% protection on N99 – FFP3.
Recently, we have come across videos of users who claim to have seen parasites in their mask on social media. In their shares, users claim to have seen the masks after throwing them into hot water for 1-2 minutes. What’s that all about?
This claim, put forward by a group of people who move the strands of cotton and polyester blends in masks with hot water and show them as if they have maggots in them, has no scientific basis. As an expert who wears the most masks for a year and studies all kinds of structures of masks, I would say that it is never possible for such a thing to happen.
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13. CAN YOU GIVE A SUMMARY ABOUT THE CORRECT USE OF THE MASK IN GENERAL?
* No gaps around the edges.
* No continuous contact with hand.
• We have to adjust the nose fold with the wire and make it fit perfectly on the face.
* Surgical masks should only be used once and discarded, not used again and again.
* Certified and melt blown mask should be taken.
* Remove the mask correctly.
* He should not accidentally throw the mask on the street and infect others.
* We should wear double masks in risky areas.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
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