Everyone in the nation has been required to wear masks in external places due to COVID-19, so masks have become a necessity in everyday life. At the mask fashion show, models wore masks with beads or traditional patterns, and Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Anti-Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters, wore masks with the words “Cheer up, Republic of Korea!” to deliver the message. This type of mask has various types and designs, such as KF94, and people are often not sure which masks to use. Therefore, the Pharos wants to inform students of three types of masks that are commonly used, and to guide students on how to wear them and how to use them.

 Health Mask

Health masks are certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, so they are classified as quasi drugs. KF (Korea Filter) means fine particle blocking index and is divided into KF80, KF94, and KF99. KF80 blocks 80 percent of fine particles (average 0.6㎛), 94 percent of fine particles (average 0.4㎛) in KF94, and 99 percent of fine particles (average 0.4㎛) in KF99. These health masks are recommended for use if people are around COVID-19 patients or if people are talking within 2 meters of a crowded space. The nose and mouth should be closely covered, especially for respiratory/cardiovascular patients, children and the elderly, who should not wear health masks if they have trouble breathing.

 To wear a health mask, spread the mask with both hands and check that it is not contaminated. Then, with the nose and mouth fully covered, the nose support must be modified to fit the wearer’s nose. When discarding the mask, fold it so that the inner side is visible as much as possible so that the outer side is not reachable. Due to the increased use of masks, false advertising and hype that fake health masks are increasing. If you are curious about whether your health mask is officially licensed product, please visit the website Drug Safety Country (https://nedrug.mfds.go.kr/index) operated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. 

 Dust Mask

A dust mask is mainly used for industries used in dusty workplaces and are not common masks to buy in nearby pharmacies. Dust masks are sold at some pharmacies and large discount stores, but most people order them in large quantities from Internet shopping malls. The types are divided into special, first and second classes, and in standards of KF, they use KF99, KF94, and KF80. The higher the grade, the higher the blocking effect. It is difficult to breathe as the dust mask uses a strong filter, and it is difficult to wear a mask for a long time due to lack of oxygen while breathing.

To wear a cup-type mask, first place the hair straps facing down and then fix the mask on the chin and nose area to fit the face. Hold the mask with one hand, fix the top hair strap on the back of the head, fix the bottom hair strap on the back of the neck, and hang it on the hook. After that, it is most important to check whether air is flowing in or not. The feature is that the filter is attached, so it can be reused by changing the filter. It is recommended to move and wear a dust mask using straps rather than plastic parts, and it should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated place. Although health masks are often purchased, they are not recommended for preventing COVID-19 infection as they have breathing valves that emit exhalation. Since people in heavy industries really need dust masks, it is recommended that ordinary people wear health masks or dental masks.

 Saliva Droplet Prevention Mask

The saliva droplet prevention mask is a mask that makes breathing easy in daily life instead of a health mask that makes breathing difficult. This mask blocks between 55% and 80% of fine particles (average 0.6 μm). This is similar to the dental mask used by medical staff to prevent infection. Dental masks are given priority to medical institutions, so it is convenient for people to get similar saliva droplet prevention masks from pharmacies. The saliva droplet prevention mask has a function to block saliva drops and is made of a thin, non-woven fabric for easy breathing.

 There are precautions when wearing a saliva droplet prevention mask. First, don’t touch the surface of the mask with your hands. This is because the ability to block fine particles decreases as you touch the mask. Next, wear the part of the metal pin closely attached to the nose. However, saliva droplet prevention masks are not appropriate in places of dense social interaction because they cannot be adjusted enough to fit the face and there are many gaps where air is introduced. Lastly, wear the front and back separately. The saliva droplet prevention mask has the outer part of the strap attached. Other distinctions can be seen through the direction of the mask’s wrinkles, where the lower folds are the outer parts.

 Cotton Mask

The cotton mask is sold at pharmacies and also people can make this mask at home by hand. However, the performance of a cotton mask is generally not able to keep up with the function of a health mask and is weak against moisture. The Seoul Institute of Health and Environment said that after measuring the effect of filtering fine particles on February, 28, 2020, the ratio of saliva drop blockage of hand-made cotton masks without a static eletricity filter and regular cotton masks was 16% to 22%. Moreover, hand-made cotton masks with a static electricity filter showed an average rate of 80% to 95%, noting that they had a similar effect as health masks.

 The cotton mask has the advantage that is can be used over and over again. However, the attached static electricity filter must be replaced everyday plus the used cotton mask must be cleaned and dried. When washing a cotton mask, do not boil it in hot water because this expands the cotton tissue and deforms the mask, and thus it reduces infection prevention. Therefore, the best way to wash it is with detergent or soap.

 It is clear that wearing a mask is important. However, what masks to wear and how to wear them in certain spaces and situations are important concerns. The right way to wear a mask is also part of preventing the spread of the COVID-19. Wearing a health mask when going to a crowded space or a saliva droplet prevention mask for easy breathing when going out for a long time is a way to take care of our safety and still maintain convenience in our daily lives at the same time. Why don’t you wear a mask that suits you by considering the use and wearing method of different kinds of masks in your daily life? 

Planning Editor•KIM JIN•coo0714@naver.com

Management Editor•GONG JINYOUNG•wlsdud03520@naver.com