Africaparent Logo
Africaparent Logo
EnglishSwahili
  • COVID-19
  • Becoming a Mama
  • Ages & Stages
  • Parenting
  • Health
  • Feeding & Nutrition

Why You Should Not Make A DIY Surgical Mask During The Coronavirus Outbreak

3 min read
Why You Should Not Make A DIY Surgical Mask During The Coronavirus OutbreakWhy You Should Not Make A DIY Surgical Mask During The Coronavirus Outbreak

The surgical mask has come to symbolize the fears surrounding COVID-19 . The dangers of DIY surgicals mask aren't spoken about much.

 

Why DIY Surgical Masks Are a Bad Idea
Why DIY Surgical Masks Are a Bad Idea [SeventyFour]

You probably saw pictures of people wearing the masks everywhere after reports of the rapid spread of the coronavirus emerged from China in January.

Then you heard of medical mask shortages at pharmacies and via online retailers.

Businessman in the city
Businessman in the city [BusinessInsider USA Images]

Now, likely due to those continued shortages, people have begun making their own surgical masks at home. Some of these masks are made of paper towels and rubber bands ( really ). Some of them require fabric, toilet paper, and a tailor ( really ).

Is Making Your Own Surgical Mask a Good Idea? Are there any dangers of DIY surgical mask?

hand holding a medical mask, hand in blue glove
hand holding a medical mask, hand in blue glove [BusinessInsider USA Images]

"I do not believe that homemade masks are a prudent endeavor for people to engage in," says Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

A homemade mask would "not very protective and may paradoxically increase the risk of infection if people touch their face and have a false sense of security," Adalja says.

But Isn't Something Better Than Nothing?

As previously reported by Men's Health , the Centers for Disease Control doesnt recommend masks "outside of workplace settings (in the community)." That's largely because COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that transmits person-to-person in distances within six feet.

Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!
https://t.co/UxZRwxxKL9

— U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) February 29, 2020

What's more, the fabric medical mask shown in many DIY instructional guides; isn't even the type that's effective, according to the CDC.

The type of mask that is effective for drastically reducing exposure to airborne particles is called a N-95 respirator , which needs to fit properly to your face.

Without a sealed fit, even the effect N-95 respirator, much like homemade medical masks, may actually increase your risk of infection.

In short, do not turn to DIY medical masks in a shortage or ever.

Author: Paul Kita Source: Men's health

This article was republished with permission from Pulse.Ng

Also read: What Do Coronavirus And Face Masks Have In Common?

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Pulse.NG

  • Home
  • /
  • Diseases-Injuries
  • /
  • Why You Should Not Make A DIY Surgical Mask During The Coronavirus Outbreak
Share:
  • Here are some ways to reduce linea nigra and mask of pregnancy

    Here are some ways to reduce linea nigra and mask of pregnancy

  • An Exotic Hair Solution: How To Make A Banana Hair Mask Right In Your Home

    An Exotic Hair Solution: How To Make A Banana Hair Mask Right In Your Home

  • Five Miracles Of Potato For Skin Care

    Five Miracles Of Potato For Skin Care

  • Homa Ya Korona Na Barakoa Za Uso Zina Usawa Upi?

    Homa Ya Korona Na Barakoa Za Uso Zina Usawa Upi?

  • Here are some ways to reduce linea nigra and mask of pregnancy

    Here are some ways to reduce linea nigra and mask of pregnancy

  • An Exotic Hair Solution: How To Make A Banana Hair Mask Right In Your Home

    An Exotic Hair Solution: How To Make A Banana Hair Mask Right In Your Home

  • Five Miracles Of Potato For Skin Care

    Five Miracles Of Potato For Skin Care

  • Homa Ya Korona Na Barakoa Za Uso Zina Usawa Upi?

    Homa Ya Korona Na Barakoa Za Uso Zina Usawa Upi?

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Becoming a Mama
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Kids
  • Parenting
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
    • Parent's Guide
  • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Weaning
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright Africaparent.com 2023 Tickled Media Pte Ltd. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it