Govt. warns citizens on wearing N95 masks with respirator valves
NEW DELHI | JULY 21, 2020:
The Union Health Ministry has issued a warning to all states against the use of N95 masks with respirator valves, as the valves do not prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading.
For those of us who do not know what this means, an N95 mask with respirator valves allows the air to escape through the valves. This puts people at risk.
An N95 mask without valves protects both the wearer and those around him.
The ministry has also encouraged the public to use home-made face masks, referring to the advisory issued in April on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth.
"We have noticed that there is an inappropriate use of the N95 mask, particularly with a valved respirator, by the public other than designated health workers. I would like to draw your attention to the advisory on the use of home-made protective cover for face and mouth available on the website of the MoHFW," said Dr Rajiv Garg, Director-General of Health Services.
"It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of COVID-19, as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask," he said.
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