Rationale:
Face masks, including disposable surgical masks and reusable cloth masks, have become a part of our daily life since the global COVID-19 pandemic hit us. Public use of face masks protects others from the wearer’s respiratory droplets as well as the wearer from airborne contaminants. This is how masks can prevent the spread of the coronavirus that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Masks that are not washed frequently or worn for prolonged periods could trap dust, dirt, sweat and various other microbes. After each wear microbes from even a healthy wearer’s own respiratory droplets collect on the inside and outside of a mask. Furthermore, high moisture retention capacity of cotton along with its ability to serve as a substrate for microbial growth, augments microbial accumulation on cotton masks compared to the disposable surgical masks. Therefore, proper sanitization of masks is imperative. However, many people reuse masks and other face coverings many times without washing them or wear the same disposable surgical mask for a prolonged period.
Through this project we will learn the importance of discarding the surgical masks or washing the reusable masks after one use to prevent microbes from accumulating on the mask and potentially cause other illness.
Face masks, including disposable surgical masks and reusable cloth masks, have become a part of our daily life since the global COVID-19 pandemic hit us. Public use of face masks protects others from the wearer’s respiratory droplets as well as the wearer from airborne contaminants. This is how masks can prevent the spread of the coronavirus that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Masks that are not washed frequently or worn for prolonged periods could trap dust, dirt, sweat and various other microbes. After each wear microbes from even a healthy wearer’s own respiratory droplets collect on the inside and outside of a mask. Furthermore, high moisture retention capacity of cotton along with its ability to serve as a substrate for microbial growth, augments microbial accumulation on cotton masks compared to the disposable surgical masks. Therefore, proper sanitization of masks is imperative. However, many people reuse masks and other face coverings many times without washing them or wear the same disposable surgical mask for a prolonged period.
Through this project we will learn the importance of discarding the surgical masks or washing the reusable masks after one use to prevent microbes from accumulating on the mask and potentially cause other illness.