Throughout the pandemic authorities and international organizations have called for the use of face mask with the aim of reducing the risk of contagion of COVID-19. However, doubts have arisen in this regard, one of them is about how often It can use the same face mask without losing its effectiveness, to which experts have already given an answer.
In various parts of the world, the use of face mask it has become mandatory because it is a way for people to be less exposed to the virus. Among the most recommended are the KN95 or N95, which is regularly used by medical personnel, as they prevent the filtration of particles.
However, like everything, face mask They have a validity that the experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States speak of, since continuing to use them when their quality has decreased implies a greater risk of contracting the virus. virus.
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The life of a mask depends on the use. PHOTO: Cuartoscuro
What does the useful life of a face mask depend on?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States points out that there are several factors that imply in the wear of the face mask, so an exact period cannot be given for all face mask.
To a large extent it depends on the use that is given to the face mask, because the CDC experts exemplify that it is not the same to use it to go out to buy the pantry than to use it for a whole working day.
Even at this same point there is also a big difference between the working hours of an office and those of a hospital.
On the other hand, specialist Richard Flagan, who studies the quality of face mask and aerosols at the California Institute of Technology, also emphasizes that the life of the face mask It depends largely on the amount of time it is worn and not so much on how often it is worn. uses.
How many times can the same mask be used?
The United States CDC and specialist Richard Flagan indicate an approximate period of how often they can use the face mask, which goes from two to three days
During that period of time, the face mask It is responsible for accumulating the particles that people expel when speaking, coughing or sneezing, so that after many days the material of the face mask It would have already caught millions of these, which could make breathing difficult.
There are also other factors that dictate the useful life of the face mask that can be easily detected, for example, the spring with which it is attached to the person’s face.
In the event that it begins to lose its resistance, it is best to discard the face mask because it is extremely important that it fits completely to the face and there are no gaps through which particles can filter.