Sandra Baker
Jul 15, 2020
The widespread transmission of COVID-19 through 220 countries has overwhelmed the medical community in the affected zones.
In recent months, the virus has infected millions worldwide and with the number of fatalities crossing the 500000 marks, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.
What Is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 and experts have linked the initial outbreak amongst the general population to a source in Wuhan, China.
COVID-19 is known to cause mild to severe respiratory complications in affected patients. As initial reports suggest, the virus is known to spread from person to person through the cough or sneeze droplets released by an infected individual.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019, researchers have been relentlessly involved in conducting test-trials to ascertain the origin of COVID-19 and source a viable vaccine. The medical community is still investigating the claims of the virus being surface-borne or air-borne.
What Are The Symptoms Of COVID-19?
The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from mild to severe depending on the immunity of the patient.
Mild Symptoms:
- Cough.
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Shortness of breath.
- Loss of taste and smell.
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea.
- Nasal congestion
- Muscle and joint pain.
Severe Symptoms:
- Pneumonia.
- Dyspnea.
- Respiratory failure.
- Septic shock.
- Multiple organ dysfunction or failure.
- Hypoxemia.
Early diagnosis of COVID-19 symptoms can prevent the occurrence of any serious health repercussions or fatalities.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has introduced a list of precautions that can curb the spread of the virus. Strict adherence to these safety measures will reduce the pressure on the already over-worked healthcare system and enable the medical fraternity to provide the requisite support seamlessly.
Safety Precautions To Combat COVID-19:
- Wearing a facemask during any social interaction or outdoor activity.
- Wash hands often for 30 seconds with soap, water, or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Avoid touching parts of the face i.e. eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Frequent sanitization of surfaces at home and workplace.
- Avoid any physical contact with infected patients.
- Strict adherence to social distancing norms that are being enforced by authorities.
Can Face mask Prevent The Spread Of COVID-19?
Top medical experts are recommending the regular usage of face mask as these accessories provide primary protection against the transmission of COVID-19. Using face masks before engaging in any form of social interaction such as visits to the market, hospital, office, parks or other outdoor venues is an effective way to prevent users from contracting COVID-19.
However, disposable face masks can be an expensive proposition, as these accessories have to be discarded and changed after every 4 hours of use.
Currently, a washable mask is the most significant invention in the arsenal that is being used by medical experts to combat the spread of COVID-19.
What Are Washable Masks?
A washable mask is an affordable alternative option that individuals can purchase from the retail market instead of purchasing the disposable variety.
Bio Sleep Concepts, an innovative company based in Pittsburgh, has introduced a range of washable masks that are affordable and durable as compared to the disposable variants. These facemasks are constructed using natural, renewable materials such as poly/cotton and are available in 2 and 4 layer options for enhanced protection from harmful pathogens.
The washable masks go through stringent quality checks as the company adopts the best sustainable strategies to manufacture the products with the utmost care whilst simultaneously reducing the waste production.
The high-quality washable mask produced by this innovative manufacturer allows the user to clean and re-use the accessory by following certain guidelines that are mentioned herewith:
Machine-Washing Technique: The washable mask can be machine-washed on the hot-water mode using mild detergents.
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Hand-Wash Method
Users can opt to hand-wash their washable masks with warm water and soap solution after a day’s use. Soaking the washable mask in a homemade bleach solution will also aid in disinfecting the fabric.
It is imperative to check the usage instructions on the bleaching agent before soaking the washable mask, as a few of these products are not designed to clean and disinfect fabric. Soaking the washable face mask in the bleaching solution for a 5-minute duration ensures that the fabric is completely sanitized. Rinse the mask thoroughly in the cold-water post the bleaching process.
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Drying Routine
Specialists recommend using two methods of drying, namely
1. Sun-drying Technique
The best possible method to eradicate any microbes from the washable mask is to use the natural, sun-drying process.
2. Heat-drying Technique:
Placing the washable mask in the dryer and turning on the heat setting to the maximum level can be an effective way to dry the product.
Soaking the washable mask in boiling water is also known to effectively disinfect the product. However, it is advisable to use the boiling process for the sanitization of face masks every week alongside the daily machine or hand-wash methods. These masks are prone to deterioration if they are washed in boiling water for 10 times or more.
The health-care facilities are running at full capacity in most parts of the world due to the pandemic. The only way to prevent the rampant spread of COVID-19 is the strict adherence to the rules specified by the health authorities of the respective states.
Presently, a washable mask is definitely considered to be a vital primary protective shield in these times of crisis and following the above-mentioned mask-cleaning tips can effectively curtail the COVID-19 spread and contamination.
