Attention! Mask mode!

During the period of active circulation of pathogens of coronavirus infection and other pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections, I remind you of the need to use respiratory protection as an effective measure to prevent infection and limit the spread of infection.

As we reported earlier, with 9 November in Gomel, and also in all regions of the Gomel region, a mandatory "mask" regime has been introduced. The measure is correct, necessary, timely, and simply necessary. Most of the region's residents comply with the regime, taking care of your health and safety of others. But there are people, who oppose the introduction of such a regime. Don't want to wear a mask, consider it a useless measure or are sincerely mistaken.

In the public consciousness there is 3 major prejudices against face masks, consider them:

Delusion 1: Masks do not protect against the virus. The truth is that: the idea of ​​the mask is aimed at implementing the main thing - to interrupt the transmission of the pathogen from person to person. And this happens when talking. Someone asked something, someone sneezed, someone coughed. Saliva splashes from a person's mouth. Masks from this and protect. They are not against the virus. They are against saliva, infected with a virus. Snuggly to the skin of the face, the mask covers the cavity of the nose and mouth, allowing air to flow through the fabric, from which it is made. Thus, air filtration is provided, falling into human lungs, from pathogens of infectious diseases, remaining on the outer surface of the medical mask.

Delusion 2: Masks must be strictly medical, otherwise they don't work. Yes, an ordinary mask is not omnipotent, but large droplets, that fly in the air from a sneezed person, she can somehow delay. We will not refer to numerous tests, which demonstrate, that rag masks are great, of course, not for work in the infectious diseases ward, and to protect others from a potential patient wearing such a mask in public places. Let's take, for example, quarantine in China, where reusable masks were mostly used.

Delusion 3: Masks are needed only for the sick. Masks must be used to, so as not to spread the infection, because people are carriers without knowing it, that they are sick. Coronavirus can be sick without symptoms. Therefore, with this development of events in the world, themes, who still wants to stay healthy, never mind, is the person sick or not, worth wearing a mask. For a sick person, the use of a mask will allow you to delay the secreted infected airborne masses when talking and coughing. This measure is part of the rules of behavior of the patient himself.. However, improper use of masks may actually increase the risk of transmission instead of, to bring it down.

General rules for the use of disposable and reusable masks:
The rule 1. Use the mask for no more than two hours.
The rule 2. Replace mask immediately if it gets wet (humidification), even if less than two hours have passed since use.
The rule 3. Do not touch the fixed mask.
The rule 4. Wash hands thoroughly with soap or an antiseptic after touching a used or used mask.
The rule 5. After using a reusable mask, wash it in hot water before reusing it (no less 60 degrees) with soap or washing powder, then ironing.

Summarizing all of the above, it should be noted, what masks, can really become that insurmountable barrier to coronavirus, which can protect us all. And let's note the main thing - this only works if, if masks are worn - ALL!

Chief State Sanitary Doctor
Gomel region S.A. Bely