Trade about masks and respirators from coronavirus

In a pandemic coronavirus many people began to buy medical masks in order to protect themselves from the virus. However, not everyone understands how to use them correctly and how masks generally differ. A Twitter user with the nickname @ Pasichnik84 tried to conduct an educational program on this topic. Below is the most important of his thread.

Human stupidity still forced me to write a thread about masks and should they be worn healthy or only for sick? And what types of masks are there, which of them are the most effective, and which are not very. Do you need more than masks or is that enough? So let's get started ...

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

I work for a company that has been producing protective equipment for workers around the world for over 100 years. These are firefighters, doctors, workers in the oil and coal industry, etc., etc. We manufacture everything from disposable masks to huge protective systems for factories and plants.

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

A little about the coronavirus and its size, in order to understand which masks will filter it out and which will not: its average size is 0.1 microns. The picture more clearly shows in scale the size relative to the size of the erythrocyte, the size of which is 7 microns. pic.twitter.com/Bzvw7DPEXR

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Now that we know approximately the size of this bastard hedgehog, we can already talk about masks that: a) can completely filter it out; b) they can partially filter out the hedgehog likes to "roll" in the air on particles of dust, spores, drops of moisture or even human saliva ...

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Let's start with the highest protection - PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator). This device filters the incoming air by dozens of indicators, including toxic gases, viruses and bacteria. The electric motor maintains the required pressure and delivers perfectly clean air. pic.twitter.com/MJqkNCQCHi

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Next in protection against coronavirus are full face masks with replaceable cartridges. Full face protection will keep the virus from getting on the mucous membrane of the eye, and a properly selected cartridge will protect you from inhaling the virus through the nose and mouth. pic.twitter.com/UICLF75RVQ

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Next, there will be masks that do not completely protect the face (eyes are open), so do not forget about eye protection with glasses - half-mask respirators. And here we will dwell in more detail on the levels of protection that are suitable to resist the "hedgehog"

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Remember! The highest level of protection available for a respirator that is capable of FULLY filtering coronavirus - "FFP3" because the size of our "hedgehog" is dozens of times larger than FFP3 can filter out respirator! This type is recommended for use in clinics. pic.twitter.com/UK1uF8CmkF

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Some manufacturers designate FFP3 respirators and masks for abbreviated simply "P3" - you can rest assured - this is the same FFP3 with the maximum level of protection!

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Then we go to lower the level of protection - respirator FFP2 (medium level) and FFP1 (low level). These respirators can already "pass" our "hedgehog", but the question is only in quantity. FFP1 will allow more of them. BUT! As we remember, the hedgehog is attached to the particles that these respirators ...

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

can easily be delayed and filtered, so the chances of not getting infected are quite high! But if you have a choice between FFP1 and FFP2 (it is quite possible that FFP3 has already become banned for sale in your country), then it is better to opt for FFP2.

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

I see a lot of filters for respirators under the name "PM2.5" on sale. Not to be confused with P2! The number in the name means the particle size in microns that the filter is able to filter - a total of 2.5 microns. We remember that the size of a hedgehog is 0.1 microns and now we understand what's what. pic.twitter.com/K1U2k5HIGp

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

I would also like to dwell on N95 respirators - it is recommended in US clinics, but its filtering ability is particles over 0.3 microns, i.e. "Hedgehog" can seep. I would put it on filtering ability between FFP2 and FFP3 (very good, but not perfect) pic.twitter.com/F0E1tBMBnk

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

And now, finally, the cherry on top - the 3-layer surgical mask! I've already heard enough nonsense about this mask, but I would like to share with you information that may help you save your life. Don't underestimate this type of mask, (especially not having others)! ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/vUCdY9wNRh

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh conducted a study in which they wanted to find out how well different types of masks cope with filtering particles of 0.007 microns in size (remember the size of our "hedgehog" - 0.1 microns) and, among others, decided to try and surgical mask.

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

And what was their amazement that a simple surgical mask delayed 80%!!! test particles! Those. purely theoretically, a surgical mask is able to increase your chances of not contracting coronavirus by 80%, since the tested samples were much smaller than our "hedgehog"! Report: pic.twitter.com/3PWE2h7Ck0

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Even the simplest cotton scarf or buff, according to measurements, was able to stop 28% of the particles. Agree - it's better than nothing and direct contact with the virus!

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Therefore, do not listen to anyone - protect yourself and your family with any types of masks available to you. Don't be afraid to look stupid in a mask - look much worse dead!

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 20, 2020

Update! I see a lot of questions like: a) how long can you wear masks?; b) can they be reused?; c) can they be washed and sterilized? Let's try to clarify these painful questions so as not to answer each one separately, because there are many of you, but I am alone 😁 ⤵️

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

a) FFP1-FFP3 respirators are designed to work effectively for 4-6 hours. The maximum allowable usage time is 8 hours, but keep in mind that after 6 hours of use, the efficiency drops rapidly! After use, carefully remove, do not touch the external... ⤵️

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

surface and dispose of. Surgical mask 3-layer - in conditions of viral danger, working time up to 2 hours! After 2 hours, carefully remove and dispose of!

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

b) Some respirators FFP1-FFP3 are marked with the letter "R" (eg. FFP3 R) - this means that the respirator can be reused, BUT! - this is not for the conditions of use with a virus threat! This means work, for example, with asbestos - you left the work area, ⤵️

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

took off the respirator, had lunch, returned to work and put on the respirator again. All. In case of a viral threat, the respirator cannot be reused! Removed and disposed of! Surgical masks are even easier - they are disposable! They removed and disposed of, took a new one!

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

c) many people ask "why it is impossible to wash and sterilize respirators such as in the picture?" The answer lies in their principle of operation - the electrostatic effect. This is not just a "sieve", but a sieve with some kind of magnetic properties that attract particles to the fibers. pic.twitter.com/5d9bt2dAaW

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

The same effect is used in kitchen hoods (by the way). When the respirator is moistened, the electrostatic effect is gradually lost and the effectiveness decreases. Therefore, you should never WASH your respirators!

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

Now about sterilization - we have already found out that when wet, the properties of the respirator are lost, and during breathing we moisturize it when exhalation, so here the question is no longer about sterilization, but about the fact that it simply does not make sense to carry out the rep-r one way or another, it is by no means so effek-n!

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

Finally, to all those who still believe that "masks should only be worn by the sick" - if you are told to go into the ward with the infected and offered to put on a mask, you will refuse because it is "ineffective"? 🤔😉 Or will you dress? For some reason, I personally have not seen doctors without masks in clinics. And you?

- Viktor (@ Pasichnik84) March 21, 2020

Do you wear a mask outside? Or do you stick with self-isolation? Let us know in the comments.