There's been a lot of talk about the use of face masks since the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic way back in March.
Australians have watched as various COVID-19 hotspots across the globe have declared masks essential or highly recommended.
Nations such as Singapore have even introduced fines for people who don't wear them.
But Australian health experts have not been recommending healthy people wear face masks and have warned wearing them incorrectly can put us at risk during the pandemic.
That messaging changed in Victoria on Saturday when Premier Daniel Andrews said masks would not be made mandatory, but people in his state's locked-down areas should wear them when they could not maintain physical distancing.
So, should you wear a face mask? Which ones are the best? And how do you wear them properly?
We answer some of the most common questions about mask use below.
Do we all need to wear masks?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Mr Andrews' advice is not a "broad recommendation" for people across the country.
This means the Australian Government's stance remains that the routine use of face masks is not recommended.
"While the rate of community transmission is low, the routine use of face masks in the community is not recommended," the Department of Health says.
"A face mask is not a substitute for other precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19."
It says those other precautions are:
- Staying home when sick
- Physical distancing
- Hand hygiene
- Cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene
That said, this advice is different for Melburnians, as stated above.
Melburnians have been advised to wear a mask in situations where physical distancing "can't be guaranteed".
The advice for people in Melbourne has changed due to the rise of community transmission in the city.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), the Australian Medical Association and Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, have all supported the change.
Speaking after Friday's National Cabinet meeting, Mr Andrews said he had ordered 2 million reusable masks to be distributed to the public, with a further 1 million single-use masks to be given to at-risk people first.
He said he predicted the advice regarding face masks in the Victorian capital would stand for "many, many months".
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth stressed that masks are just "part of a suite of measures" being employed to slow the spread of the virus.
"There is a tendency, and there are those that we might even describe as 'mask messiahs' who would put a lot of faith in the ability of the mask to control these outbreaks," Dr Coatsworth said.
"We accept, as the AHPPC, that they have a role.
"We also know that the main game in controlling COVID-19 [remains] movement restrictions and social distancing."
So, to reiterate, at the moment Melburnians have been asked to wear masks. This advice has not been expanded to apply to people in the rest of Australia.
And if you have chronic respiratory issues, the Federal Government advises against wearing a mask.
Who do face masks protect?
Face masks are primarily used in the community to prevent sick people from infecting others.
They help contain droplets expelled when people cough or sneeze, so they reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading.
That is why the advice has until now been that if you're well and not caring for a person suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19 — or looking after someone who is unwell — you probably don't need to wear one.
While masks can help prevent transmission of disease from others, there is limited evidence to support the widespread use of them in healthy people to prevent community transmission.
This is because respiratory viruses are generally spread among close contacts.
What are the risks associated with wearing a mask?
According to the Federal Government, there are risks associated with wearing a mask.
- Touching the mask during use or when removing it can contaminate the hands
- Masks are less effective if they become damp or damaged
- Many commercially available masks are of low quality
- P2 or N95 masks should not be used as they are difficult to put on and take off safely
- They have been found to provide a false sense of security
- The use of a mask and only a mask will not prevent infection as explored above
Which masks are most effective?
Not all masks are created equal.
P2 and N95 masks are medical-grade coverings but they have not been recommended for public use because healthcare workers in the most high-risk environment need them to do their jobs. They are also difficult to put on and take off safely.
But the WHO has recognised the benefit of fabric face masks in specific situations where physical distancing isn't possible.
Store-bought disposable face masks are beneficial.
Air pollution social enterprise company Smart Air recently found canvas and denim were among the most effective materials for homemade face masks.
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How do I use a mask properly?
It's not as simple as having a mask and putting it on.
If you need to wear a face mask, the Federal Government recommends you follow these steps:
- Wash your hands before putting on the mask
- Make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin, over the bridge of your nose and against the sides of your face.
- Do not touch the front of the mask while it is on or when removing it (and if you do so accidentally, wash or clean your hands immediately)
- Wash your hands after removing the mask
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) also says you should make sure your mask:
- Fits securely around the face, specifically covering the nose and mouth areas
- Is secured with ties at the back of the head or ear loops
- Make sure it doesn't have holes or a valve
- Allows for breathing without restriction
- Can be laundered and machine dried without damage or changes to its shape (cloth masks should be routinely washed in a washing machine)
Where can I get masks?
Masks are available from chemists, hardware stores and from online stores.
How can I make a mask?
So, you'd like to make a mask.
It's not as simple as you might think.
But if you're particularly keen on giving it a go, here's what you'll need:
- Material (cotton is preferable). You'll need enough to make several layers about 25cm x 15cm each
- Three pieces of fabric are recommended by the Victorian Government: a water-resistant outer layer, a blended middle layer and a water-absorbing cotton for the inner layer
- Something to sew it with
- Some elastic or extra material for the ties needed to keep the mask in place
The DHHS recommends you follow this mask-making process:
- Cut out three different layers of fabric (see recommended fabric types above) in 25x15cm rectangles
- Stack them neatly in the correct order and fold down one edge of the long side of the fabric to create a seam of 1cm
- Stitch down the folded long side.
- Repeat step two and three for the opposite edge on the long side
- Fold the short sides over to create a seam and stitch that way too (make sure there's room to thread your elastic or ties through)
- Run your elastic or fabric tie through the hem you've created
- Knot the ends of your elastic tightly
How do I know when to wash them?
If you're wearing a fabric face mask, you should remove it as soon as it becomes damp.
And you shouldn't wear it again until it's been washed.
Holly Seale, a senior lecturer in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, says masks should be washed with detergent, put in a washing machine for a hot-wash cycle and completely air dried before they are used again.
How can I throw them out?
There have been reports overseas of masks being disposed of indiscriminately in public places.
Used masks can be a hazard because the virus can live on surfaces for hours or even days.
The WHO recommends masks are immediately placed in a closed bin after use to avoid contamination.
When taking them off, use the straps behind the ears in order to avoid touching the front.
People are also advised to wash their hands before and after taking a mask off their face.
It should go without saying, but single-use masks should not be reused.
The lifetime of a disposable mask is complete when they become damp or damaged because they become less effective.
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2020-07-13 04:51:00Z
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