It is recommended that neck breathers
including laryngectomees cover their stoma (even when using an HME) and nose and
mouth with two surgical masks or respirator (stoma only), and if these are not
available with a soft (cloth) cover.
If worn properly, a surgical mask can help
block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays or splatter that may contain
germs (viruses and bacteria). Facemasks may also help reduce exposure of the
wearer’s respiratory secretions to others.
While a surgical mask may be effective in
blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, it does not filter or block very
small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, and sneezes. It is important to note that the use of an N95 respirator and face shield may not be 100% effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission. Two recent meta-analyses; by Smith et al., and Long et al, failed to demonstrate the superiority of N95 respirators over standard surgical masks in preventing influenza.
An N95 respirator (the "N"
means Not effective against oily materials, the "95" means 95% of
non-oily airborne particles are filtered out, and the "respirator"
means a device that protects against inhalation of hazardous particles) works
by providing both a physical and an electrostatic barrier to incoming droplets
carrying SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. They are 95% effective at filtering out
particles larger than 0.3 microns. Although the virus particles themselves are
smaller than 0.2 microns, they are carried by much larger droplets of water,
mucus, and saliva.
The outer layer of the N95 mask is made of
fluid-resistant material to keep moisture from coming in, and the inner layer
is made of synthetic fabric. When washed with soap and water, an it loses much
of its efficiency. UV light and H2O2 fumes as well as warm, moist heat destroy
the viruses without damaging the synthetic fabric and may permit reuse without
diminishing efficiency.
If a respirator is reused, great care
should be taken in removing the mask without touching its surfaces and thus
contaminating it. Careful fitting is required. Mask testing is done by spraying
saccharine on its surface; if you can inhale and taste the saccharine, the mask
doesn't meet standards. If one can smell the onions, garlic, or alcohol on
someone's breath, he/she are too close, 6 feet or not.
Current evidence suggests that it is harder to transmit the COVID-19 via a
soft surface such as fabric masks or cloth (survives up to 24 hours) than on
hard surfaces such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, table tops, silverware,
drinking glasses, etc were it can
survive for 3-4 days. However, fabric masks and cloth can be laundered in hot
water from someone with COVID-19 along with that of the rest of the family, as
the temperature is high enough to destroy the virus.
Watch a video
explaining the way N95 mask works
N95 respirator
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