How To Test Your Face Mask Effectiveness Against The Coronavirus
The Coronavirus pandemic caused for a lockdown of numerous countries.
Although some of these countries have lifted the lockdown protocol, citizens were advised to use face masks while going about their various businesses.
In states like Nigeria for instance, not everyone could get the recommended surgical masks. So, people started making homemade face masks, from Ankaras and cotton material.
While this homemade face masks are beautiful and shows craftsmanship, they may not be able to protect people like the surgical face masks.
The National Library of Medicine reports that a test was carried out to ascertain the difference between the surgical and homemade face masks. According to them, both masks significantly reduced the number of microorganisms expelled, although the surgical mask was 3 times more effective in blocking transmission than the homemade mask.
They further advised that homemade masks should be used as last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, as it would be better than no protection.
For home tests to know if your face mask is effective;
Vacuum Test
1.Try using covering a vacuum cleaner with your face masks
2. Put some powder on the ground
3. Then with your face mask covering your vacuum, try to suck up the powder.
If the vacuum cleans the powder effectively, it means your face masks won’t protect you against microorganisms.
Flame Test
1. Put on a homemade face mask
2. Put on a lighter or a match stick.
3. Try to blow out the match stick while wearing the homemade face mask
If the flame blows out, it means there’s a problem. Such face masks may not fully protect you against microorganisms.
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