Regarding the disposable N95 masks, for how long can we use it in case of severe shortage in stocks: few hours? Days? Can it be sterilized/decontaminated with some devices like UV?
You can find some elements about the actual efficiency of this type of mask in the field in the publications below:
Article Measurements of workplace protection factors of six negative...
Article Assessment of the performance of respirators in the workplace
Article Field study of subjective assessment of negative pressure ha...
Hi Mohamad ,
In Australia we refer these as P2 and are very effective for bush fires. Expiry is mentioned on the pack itself. Normally lasting for 5 years they must be discarded/changed when they become moist. when i say 5 years, it means in original packing only.
Also in Australia if its about COVID19, then Australia's chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said "There is no need for the Australian public to wear masks. The only people who should wear masks in relation to this virus are those who are unwell and have a relevant travel history," Cheers!
How long a one N95 mask can be used continuously for care of COVID-19 patients?
According to WHO guideline on rational use of PPE for COVID-19, N95 mask (respirator) can be used for many patients with the same diagnosis up to a period of 4 hours. (1).
This recommendation was based on a study where N95 masks (after a fit test) for continuous use for a target duration of hours with a valve was better tolerated than without a valve and males tolerated better than females (2)
Therefore, if tolerated, one N95 mask can be used by one person while caring for multiple patients of COVID-19, for a maximum duration of hours, or until comfortable (whichever is more).
1. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331498
2. Article Respirator Tolerance in Health Care Workers
The mask must fit tightly to the face to provide protection. Every time the mask is removed the elastic bands are stretched and loosens the mask. Therefore whilst in theory the mask may be reused for several hours, in practice the loosening of the mask straps may mean that it becomes ineffective.
Continuous wearing of N95 face mask can cause discomfort and a C-shaped pressure injury on the nose as described in this report by an ICU doctor looking after COVID-19 patients for Eight (8) hours.
Article A Shift on the Front Line
This was forwarded to me via social media. I would love to credit the author but I do not know who it is. It encapsulates the current understanding of Covid-19 so well that I thought everyone would enjoy reading it…
For those of you who are still confused, these are the rules for covid 19:
1. Basically, you can't leave the house for any reason, but if you have to, then you can.
2. Masks are useless, but maybe you have to wear one, it can save you, it is useless, but maybe it is mandatory as well.
3. Stores are closed, except those that are open.
4. You should not go to hospitals unless you have to go there. Same applies to doctors, you should only go there in case of emergency, provided you are not too sick.
5. This virus is deadly but still not too scary, except that sometimes it actually leads to a global disaster.
6. Gloves won't help, but they can still help.
7. Everyone needs to stay HOME, but it's important to GO OUT.
8. There is no shortage of groceries in the supermarket, but there are many things missing when you go there in the evening, but not in the morning. Sometimes.
9. The virus has no effect on children except those it affects.
10. Animals are not affected, but there is still a cat that tested positive in Belgium in February when no one had been tested, plus a few tigers here and there…
11. You will have many symptoms when you are sick, but you can also get sick without symptoms, have symptoms without being sick, or be contagious without having symptoms. Oh, my God.
12. In order not to get sick, you have to eat well and exercise, but eat whatever you have on hand because it's better not to go out, well, but no…
13. It's better to get some fresh air, but you get looked at very wrong when you get some fresh air, and most importantly, you don't go to parks or walk. But don’t sit down, except that you can do that now if you are old, but not for too long or if you are pregnant (but not too old).
14. You can't go to retirement homes, but you have to take care of the elderly and bring them food and medication.
15. If you are sick, you can't go out, but you can go to the pharmacy.
16. You can get restaurant food delivered to the house, which may have been prepared by people who didn't wear masks or gloves. But you have to have your groceries decontaminated outside for 3 hours. Pizza too?
17. Every disturbing article or disturbing interview starts with " I don't want to trigger panic, but…"
18. You can't see your older mother or grandmother, but you can take a taxi and meet an older taxi driver.
19. You can walk around with a friend but not with your family if they don't live under the same roof.
20. You are safe if you maintain the appropriate social distance, but you can’t go out with friends or strangers at the safe social distance.
21. The virus remains active on different surfaces for two hours, no, four, no, six, no, we didn't say hours, maybe days? But it takes a damp environment. Oh no, not necessarily.
22. The virus stays in the air - well no, or yes, maybe, especially in a closed room, in one hour a sick person can infect ten, so if it falls, all our children were already infected at school before it was closed. But remember, if you stay at the recommended social distance, however in certain circumstances you should maintain a greater distance, which, studies show, the virus can travel further, maybe.
23. We count the number of deaths but we don't know how many people are infected as we have only tested so far those who were "almost dead" to find out if that's what they will die of…
24. We have no treatment, except that there may be one that apparently is not dangerous unless you take too much (which is the case with all medications). Orange man bad.
25. We should stay locked up until the virus disappears, but it will only disappear if we achieve collective immunity, so when it circulates… but wait...we must no longer be locked up for that?
In some cases 8 hours, and "preliminary data suggests limiting the number of reuses to no more than five uses per device to ensure an adequate safety margin."
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hcwcontrols/recommendedguidanceextuse.html
