We solve the mystery of masks now that they are mandatory: how, when and which to wear

It seems that when it comes to choose mask we don't do anything right. We explain ourselves. At the beginning of the pandemic no one was carrying it, they said it was not necessary. Something similar happened with the gloves. At the beginning yes, now not: the experts assure that the irresponsibilities at the time of taking them and above all, removing them are going to be worse than not putting on anything and washing our hands (a lot, a lot). Now that face masks have become mandatory, we decipher -as far as possible- the guidelines for its correct use.

As of today, the Ministry of Health together with the Autonomous Communities has decreed the mandatory use of face masks in public spaces where the social distance of two meters cannot be assured. This means that we will have to carry it both in a restaurant and on a narrow street, where the distance cannot be guaranteed. Without a doubt, the mask that is going to become an indispensable complement that will mark the de-escalation towards the new normality. To help us understand the importance of face masks, the leading multinational in the fields of medical and safety technology Dräger, has explained to us what types of masks are there and it gave us (we needed) some tips for using them correctly.

Understanding well what type we should wear, the correct and hygienic way to put it and if it is necessary to wear it under any circumstances is not an easy task. For example, networks have become the mirror of this (bad) understanding of the use of masks. A few days ago, on the communicator's account @soylaforte (which by the way, has one of the best podcasts we have listened to lately: the smile and the laugh – although now it is not seen because of the mask – it is assured) this debate skipped: she, wore the mask wrong and a professional , told him what was the correct way to use it. That has also happened to celebrities: Tamara Beanie He had to publicly apologize because he did not know that he was misusing it, and yesterday, on the Instagram account of Patricia Conde The same thing happened: the television collaborator was wearing a mask with a valve and an epidemiologist told her that it was not the best option.

What types are there?

From the medical multinational, they explain, "There are three types of masks, each with specific characteristics" and must be used under specific circumstances.

-Hygienic masks, recommended for healthy people and without contact with the coronavirus.

-Surgical masks, recommended for infected people, which are designed to protect those around the wearer.

-The self-filtering masks, which are personal protective equipment and are the ones that offer the greatest variety. In this case, there are three other subclasses: FFP1, which slows down at least 78% of the particles; FFP2, which slows down at least 92% of the particles; and FFP3, which stops at least 98% of the particles.

And the key is the following (and the one that has generated the most debate in the 2.0 world): "It is important to know that these last two, the FFP2 and the FFP3, both without an exhalation valve, since through this there is the possibility of contagion, are recommended against the coronavirus because they serve to avoid spreading and catching. FFP1, meanwhile, filter in the same way as FFP2 and FFP3 but with a% lower efficiency, "they explain from Dräger.

But … which one should I wear? Watch out! Because hundreds of false information circulate through the network and everything we see in the form of a meme or screenshot is not true and above all, sure.

Marián García, Doctor in Pharmacy (which you will surely know from his Instagram account @boticariagarcia answer this question in a video. To prevent, single-use surgeries that last 4 hours: they are the most recommended and also the cheapest and most comfortable. Of course, for a single use: they can not be disinfected in any way, or with bleach, in the microwave or with soap. And for the population at risk, autofilters, which provide extra protection. Apothecary even teaches us a Spanish brand of masks composed of a specific material that CAN be reused as they allow up to 5 washes. Each mask costs 0.50 cents.

How to remove it (without getting infected)?

Boticaria García also has the answer and to teach us how to do it correctly, he has even recorded a video:

Always with clean hands, because of the elastic and without touching the part that covers the mouth, those are the fundamental premises. Premises that, in turn, also share Dräger with some 'tips' to keep in mind:

-The user must be familiar with its handling before using it.

-We must take the mask by the ends and never by the central part.

-Wash your hands before and after in the case of repositioning.

-Do not wear the masks more than four hours.

-The mask should be discarded and replaced by another if it is damaged or if breathing becomes difficult.

-The mask should not undergo any change however small it may be.

-Do not use filter masks in confined spaces or in areas that may have an accumulation of dangerous gases or vapors.

We believe that after this we will stop misusing them. Let us cross fingers for ourselves and the others, we will continue behind the Apothecary trail for 'further information'. At the moment, mask and caution. Oh, and safe distance!