Updated 06-18-20
I’ve seen a lot of people wearing masks on the streets, N95, construction dust masks, surgical masks, cloth masks, Halloween masks (Yes seriously, that last one….I seen it).
all this confusion over what is the proper type of mask to wears to wear. iYou actually need a surgical mask and cloth mask.
Surgical Mask
You actually need these If you think you are infected with something (Cold, flu..whatever).. because those masks are to mostly prevent whatever you exhale or cough up from going into the air. Or seeing someone who is infected with anything that has a cough. these masks have a filter to catch droplets. but is in on the side facing your mouth. walking into a room with people coughing into the air doesn’t guarantee protection from whatever other people are coughing up. and Hospital Staff won’t give you these masks unless you have respiratory symptoms or are attending with someone who is exhibiting symptoms. There is a shortage of masks. if you cant find them in stores. a hospital doesn’t have stockpiled. in fact my emergency department is limited on the supply of these masks. I don’t use them unless necessary for my job task at the time.
N95 Masks
these masks are for Airborne infections. (viruses that stay in the air for hours. COVID-19 doesn’t remain in the air for very long to require these masks to be worn. these masks filter air particles that linger in the air. They dont filter gases! they are only for use by medical staff who have been fit tested for a certain type ( i am fitted for 8210. I actually used 1860 once. not a proper fit and air leaks which render ineffective for me and I would breathe all of the crap in the air. even the virus) Medical staff only use these mask for COVID-19 Patients if they need to put on a respirator as during the insertion of the tube. lots of droplets are coughed up. as for me, I use these if I’m going into t room that is negative pressure (outside is forced in and air in the room is forced up and out to remove the virus from the air. slowly enough suction to move the air. but not like a vacuum ). Unless a sign on the door of the room tells you to put on an N95 mask, 1. You do not need it and 2. its hard to breathe wearing these because it seals your face and restricts airflow to go through filters in the mask so don’t wear it for walking around in public. you’ll end up with a build-up of carbon dioxide (the stuff you breathe out) in the mask making it hard to breathe. ONLY WEAR N95 IF TOLD TO!
Cloth masks
These mask made of fabric do not filter anything. if you cough up anything. it still goes into the air. anyone else coughs.. guess what…. you get it. public health agencies say you should wear them. however note: It doesn’t protect you from getting COVID or anything in the air. its to reduce whatever is flying out your mouth from going into air. it’s still going into the air, but less of it does.
Btw, Stop taking masks from Hospitals. my hospital is in a short supply of all our masks. they are all locked up in the ER and on patient floors, they are not accessible. if hospital stuff determines you do not need it. you really don’t one mask or 20 boxes of masks!
Isolation Gowns
I see patients and families going into rooms on isolation. no matter the kind of isolation. they Stroll into the rooms without wearing a gown. gloves, or not even sanitizing your hands. THIS IS HOW YOU GET OUTBREAKS! Look at the patient door, these signs on the door are there to tell how it protect yourself. IT ISNT A SUGGESTION! as for COVID-19. Infection Control at my Hospital is considering these precautions. but it could change . (I’ll update the precaution if I hear a change into precautions) after you leave the patient room. take it all the gowns, gloves and then sanitize your hands.
use these PPE to stay safe in these situations!
