Know Which Type of Face Mask You Need and When

Know Which Type of Face Mask You Need and When

Over the past few months, we’ve been hearing a lot about face masks. From the latest CDC recommendations, to the recent face mask requirement in North Carolina and other states who are experiencing a climb in COVID-19 cases, to organized groups banding together to donate face masks to underserved communities in need, it’s clear that these masks are hot on everyone’s minds lately.To get more news about famous type I mask factory, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

But between face masks for healthcare workers and face masks for the rest of us, what do we really know about these different types of face masks? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help explain a few things about the use of masks during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Answer 1: N95 masks, or N95 respirators, are a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) used most commonly by healthcare workers who are in need of a higher level of protection. These kinds of masks are tighter-fitting and made of higher filtration material than regular masks so that they can filter out an estimated 95% of airborne particles that might otherwise pose a threat to an individual’s health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that the general public wear N95 respirators to protect themselves.

With the rising demand of these masks, there is a global shortage of this kind of mask. Wondering how you can help? We are currently accepting donations of N95s, and other medical equipment if you have any of these supplies available and are willing to donate.
Q2: Who needs to wear an N95?

A2: N95s are intended only for healthcare professionals who need protection from airborne hazards when tending to patients. Examples of who might need this type of mask would include, healthcare workers who do procedures that put germs into the air – especially our teammates who work with patients on ventilators and other invasive procedures.

Q3: What about surgical masks?

A3: In addition to N95 masks, there are also surgical or “procedure” masks. These masks are made in different thicknesses and have ability to protect healthcare workers from contact with splashes. A surgical mask is the type you are used to seeing on TV surgeons, and are usually rectangle shaped. Most of the time, surgical masks will be worn by our teammates providing direct patient care. We miss seeing their smiles, but know that keeping them safe is more important!

Q4: Do healthcare workers need cloth masks, too?

A4: Yes! Cloth masks are recommended for healthcare workers who are not providing direct patient care. This includes teammates who bring supplies to our units, working in our kitchens and cafeterias, and our pharmacy technicians.

Q5: How can I donate homemade cloth masks to help healthcare workers?

A5: We welcome donations of homemade masks. We are asking they be made in a special way so that we can insert filters into them, giving our teammates and patients an extra level of protection. Here are directions on sewing adult-sized masks and pediatric-sized masks. In addition to giving cloth masks to our teammates who don’t provide direct patient care, we would like to have enough cloth masks to be able to provide our adult and pediatric patients a mask when they walk in the door. This will help us preserve our surgical masks for our doctors, nurses and other teammates caring for patients.