Covid-19 has thrown a lot of challenges up to people across the UK. What will be the new normal? What actions can we take to reduce infection rates? And how do we protect ourselves and our families from contracting the virus? Read on to find out more about how an antimicrobial face covering works to protect you and your family from Covid-19.
One such method that has been introduced globally is the enforcement of wearing antiviral face masks when in public spaces. There is plenty of debate around how effective masks can be at stopping the spread of Coronavirus.
Alongside this, there are also serious concerns about using conventional face masks and their ability to protect those wearing them from viruses. There are even concerns that the use of the conventional could actually play a role in spreading viruses and bacteria further.
Concerns about conventional face masks
Some studies have shown that the existence of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19 causing virus) can be detected on material surfaces such as the inner and outer layers of face masks for a period of up to a week. In that time, the bacteria can be passed on to others.
What this means is that conventional face masks can become the source of fomite transmission, which means that your mask could become contaminated with Covid-19, with the virus living on surfaces for a period of time. This is thanks mainly to the warm and humid conditions created through breathing.
So what about antimicrobial face masks? How are they different from conventional masks? Do they reduce the risk of transmission when it comes to harmful bacteria or deadly viruses?
In this article, we take a closer look at how antimicrobial face masks work to stop the spread of deadly bacteria and summarise how effective they are.
What are antimicrobial face masks?
Cloth masks have become a trend following the global outbreak of Covid-19. You would struggle to visit your local supermarket without seeing someone wearing one.
However, they come with their limitations. Repeated wear can cause unpleasant odours, discolouration and even the deterioration of the fabrics they are made from. In short, over time, standalone cloth masks deteriorate, both in terms of their appearance and – more importantly – their ability to protect against airborne diseases.
Antimicrobial face masks have been introduced to provide a solution that will ensure people are protected continuously over long periods. These masks are designed to be resistant to odours and help prevent bacterial growth on fabric surfaces.
How do they work?
Antimicrobial face masks include materials that self-sanitise, keeping both the mask clean and the user clean at the same time. With some cloth masks, the virus or other harmful bacteria can still be transferred by touch. When you think about it, you have to pick them up, adjust them and ensure they are placed covering your mouth with your hands.
Now, unless you are constantly cleaning those hands, the chances are you would have come into contact with bacteria. In which case, there is a strong probability that the mask itself has come into contact with bacteria, and standard cloth masks do not have the ability to self-sanitise.
Although antimicrobial masks cannot guarantee to eradicate this problem, it can help to reduce the likelihood of infection from touching. It comes down to the materials they are made from. Some contain copper, which helps to kill bacteria and viruses that come into contact with it.
Others, such as the Carrington Mask, are made using textile technology that is added to the fabric during the final stage of the textile manufacturing process. This is proven to be 99.99% effective in deactivating SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19-causing virus,
Why you need an antimicrobial face mask
Whether you decide to wear a conventional face mask or an antimicrobial face mask is truly your decision. For many people, the decision comes down to convenience, cost and, in some cases, aesthetics. None of these factors addresses the most critical issue of proper protection, though.
Although antimicrobial face masks cannot completely eliminate the risk of transmission of harmful bacteria and viruses, they can provide a more substantial probability of protection. We live in a forever-advancing world when it comes to technology, and the medical sector is often at the forefront.
Tests will be carried out on surfaces, coatings and materials so that people can be provided with safer masks. For now, antimicrobial face masks are the choice when it comes to safety and protection against Covid-19.
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*This is a collaborative post