LETTER | Types of face masks and wearers

LETTER | The three main types of face masks are N95, surgical and cloth masks. The tight-fitting N95 mask is most effective and can block 95 percent of airborne particles. It is crucial for healthcare workers, particularly those in direct contact with coronavirus patients.

The cheapest and most common are disposable surgical masks and suitable for the public. They have a looser fit than N95 mask and made from more porous material. They limit the spread of droplets from coughs and sneezes coming from the wearer and have long been worn by the conscientious few that did not wish to spread their flu or cough to others.

Because surgical masks filter about 60 to 80 percent of particles, they do not provide the level of protection as popularly believed. The surest way of preventing Covid-19 infection is not getting close to others and staying away from crowds.

Effectiveness of cloth masks vary according to the fabric, number of layers and filters used. Differences are easily noticeable between one that is unlabelled and sold by the roadside for RM8 compared to a branded one priced at RM20 in a pharmacy.

Highest quality cloth masks using heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filter can capture up to 89 percent of particles with one layer and 94 percent with two layers. Cloth masks are reusable, and they can be hand or machine wash.

Face mask wearers can continuously be split into two categories. For example, one who wears a mask voluntarily and the other out of compulsion. Then there are those who wear masks properly or improperly, while some will put on a mask for the right reason and others do so needlessly.

When no one is nearby such as while driving or walking alone, a mask is unnecessary. But I have seen many people walking for exercise wearing masks. Unless they are chatting with someone, it would be healthier to exercise alone without a mask to breathe in more fresh air.

Even when wearing a face mask, we must continuously try to maintain physical distancing by at least one metre whether we are walking, standing or seated, and refrain from touching any surface, person or our face, apart from washing or sanitising our hands regularly.

When I put on a new surgical mask, I would wear it as high as possible without blocking my eyes. I would then press firmly down the nosepiece, which is a bendable strip of metal, to ensure the upper side of the mask is sealed and not leaking while I breathe in and out.

Next, I would pull down the lower side and tuck it below my chin, press my palms on both sides of the mask to ensure they are flat on my face and then breathe through the fabric and not from any gap at the top, bottom or sides of the mask.

But many people are not wearing face masks properly, such as covering only the bottom half of the nose or even below the nostrils. The most apathetic are those who wear face masks under the chin and engage in small talk through force of habit and throwing caution to the wind.

The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly shown that people are afraid of inconvenience more than death and are oblivious to the horrendous sufferings that victims have gone through when placed under ventilators to prevent them from dying.

As the number of infections has risen, face masks have become mandatory in crowded places and public transport from Aug 1. Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, those who do not comply with the new rule will face a fine of up to RM1,000.

However, a large number of people are not wearing masks properly. Therefore, education should be introduced while stepping up enforcement. Free face masks could also be distributed but under tight control so that they reach the rightful recipients and not hoarded for resale.

Although the recovery movement control order (MCO) will end on Aug 31, it is likely to continue until the end of the year, as a large number of Malaysians and foreign workers are still very lax in doing their part to stamp out the coronavirus.

A percentage of new infections comes every time we have Malaysians return from overseas or foreigners entering our country. With our nation embroiled in endless politicking even before the Covid-19 outbreak, we lack the steely resolve to tackle the pandemic.

Mask or no mask, many of our politicians could easily win Oscars but their success has brought no benefit to our country. What the rakyat needs most is to have Malaysia declared free of Covid-19 when the country records zero new cases of infection for 28 consecutive days.

In April, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the country's economy is losing RM2.4 billion every day business is suspended during the MCO. But so far, no politician or minister has tried to rally everyone together to aim for a month free of Covid-19.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.