One of the important aspects to protect ourselves from the virus is the mask. Mask helps to depend on a human being from virus, bacteria, etc. But, then also, it’s important to check their accuracy.
Take these tests to find out if your mask is working.
If you want to defend yourself from a virus-like COVID-19, mask-wearing is the best option. Mask acts as an interruption and precautions small virus-infected respiratory droplets from reaching an infectious person to others.
You may also read Coronavirus Vaccine: Ways To Boost Your Immune Response Towards The COVID-19 Vaccine
The mask usage is to cover your mouth and nose with it. It can reduce the infection risk from about half of its power. That is possible only if you use the mask accurately.
There are many types of fashionable masks currently available on the market, but not all can protect against COVID-19. The question is how to know if your mask is working or not. It is relatively easy, and all you have to do is to do three simple tests at home.
Simple light test at home
It is enough to do the simple light test at home. This test would ensure you whether your mask is good for keeping or you should throw it out. The Director of Vaccine Research Group of Gregory Poland, MD, Mayo Clinic told in an interview to a leading daily manifest that keeping the mask in light could help provide a lot of protection.
Even you can use a flashlight or house light or sunlight for this experiment despite a candle only. Then try to see through the mask if you are able to see across the mask. It means your mask is not good even that mask would not prevent small particles from entering your respiratory system.
Blowing out a candle test
The second test is to take out a candle with its mask. American science teacher Bill Nye popularizes this test. However, it can help to recognize the filtration and fit of your mask.
You may also read DnD game got a level up
All you have to do in this test is to blow out a candle with your mask. If you can do this test successfully, it means that your mask is not good enough. Even it cannot prevent aerosolized particles. Then it would not be any use to wear these masks because one will be at risk of getting an infection of the virus by carrying that mask.
Water-resistance test
The third test is to determine whether your mask is water-resistant or not. This is another important test because the virus is carried through droplets of water extracted by infected people when talking, coughing, and sneezing.
If these drops land on your mask and if the clothes absorb them, you are equally at risk of infection. Therefore, check whether your mask can soak up water quickly or not. If this happens, it means that your mask failed the third test.
The bottom line
These tests help determine whether your mask is actually working against viruses and providing protection or not. These tests can be applicable on cloth as well as a surgical mask.
According to the U.S.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.), a person should always wear a mask of two or three layers and avoid breathing valves or vents.
You may also read Edition 3.33 of the Rocket Report
They have recently updated their guidelines and stated that wearing two masks- cloth mask over the surgical can provide 95 percent protection from the virus.
Wearing masks is just one way to protect against viruses. Practicing social distance and following good hygiene etiquette are some other ways to stay safe. These are the ways to test the mask accuracy along with the protective power of it.