Using Facemasks Properly
Facemasks are important for preventing infectious respiratory diseases and lowering the risk of COVID-19 infections. Facemasks can prevent patients from spraying droplets, reduce the amount and speed of droplets, and protect the wearers from inhaling droplet nucleus of the virus.
Facemasks have been effective in preventing and controlling COVID-19. On January 30, the NHC published a Guide on Facemask Usage Against Novel Coronavirus-infected Pneumonia. On February 5, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council published the Technical Guidelines for Selecting and Using Facemasks Against Novel Coronavirus Infection.
On March 17, in response to work resumption as the disease prevention and control improved, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism published a Guide on Proper Usage of Facemasks by the Public, providing advice for wearing facemasks under different conditions for the general public, people at specific areas, people with occupational exposure, and key population groups.
Facemasks should be worn and used properly to ensure effective protection. According to relevant guidance, in areas not affected by the disease, facemasks are unnecessary in open and well-ventilated places, but people should wear facemasks when entering crowded or enclosed public places. In high-risk areas, people should wear disposable medical masks in open and well-ventilated places, and wear surgical masks or respirators of grade N95 when entering crowded or enclosed public places. Special groups who may contact suspected or confirmed cases should wear goggles and respirators of grade N95 or above.
When wearing surgical masks, hold the mask with the nose strip on top and the dark-colored side facing outward, pull the mask over the mouth, nose and chins, and pinch the nose strip to conform to the shape of the nose.
Wash hands according to procedures before wearing a mask and avoid touching the inside of the mask.
Replace the mask every two to four hours, and change the mask when it is dirty, contaminated, distorted, damaged or smelly.
Take off the mask with the side touching the nose and mouth folded inward, hang the mask in clean, dry, ventilated place or put it in a clean and ventilated paper bag for reuse.
Dispose the mask in a specific garbage bin to avoid cross infection.
Children should not wear the facemasks for adults, and parents should help their children wear facemasks properly.
Babies cannot wear facemasks, which can pose suffocation risks.
正确使用口罩
口罩是预防呼吸道传染病的重要防线,可以降低新冠病毒感染风险。口罩不仅可以防止病人喷射飞沫,降低飞沫量和喷射速度,还可阻挡含病毒的飞沫核,防止佩戴者吸入。
新冠肺炎疫情发生以来,口罩在疫情防控中起着重要作用。2020年1月30日,国家卫生健康委印发《预防新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎口罩使用指南》。2月5日,国务院应对新冠肺炎疫情联防联控机制印发《预防新型冠状病毒感染口罩选择与使用技术指引》。3月17日,根据疫情防控形势向好和复工复产需要,联防联控机制修订形成《公众科学戴口罩指引》,从普通公众、特定场所人员、职业暴露人员以及重点人员进行分类,并对不同场景下戴口罩提出科学指引的建议。
口罩佩戴的基本原则是科学合理佩戴、规范使用、有效防护。根据相关指南、指引建议,在非疫区空旷且通风场所不需要佩戴口罩,进入人员密集或密闭公共场所需要佩戴口罩。在疫情高发地区空旷且通风场所建议佩戴一次性使用医用口罩;进入人员密集或密闭公共场所,佩戴医用外科口罩或颗粒物防护口罩。特殊人群如可能接触疑似或确诊病例的高危人群,建议佩戴医用防护口罩(N95及以上级别)并佩戴护目镜。
佩戴医用外科口罩时,鼻夹侧朝上,深色面朝外,上下拉开褶皱,使口罩覆盖口、鼻及下颌;按捏鼻夹,使之贴紧鼻梁,防止侧漏。佩戴口罩前按规程洗手,佩戴时避免接触口罩内侧。口罩佩戴2-4小时更换一次,如口罩脏污、变形、损坏、有异味时也要及时更换。口罩摘下后应将接触口鼻的一面朝里叠好,如需再次使用,可悬挂在洁净、干燥通风处,或将其放置在清洁、透气的纸袋中;如不再使用,应放入固定丢弃处,避免交叉感染。儿童不宜佩戴成人口罩,家长要帮助儿童正确佩戴口罩,并随时关注佩戴情况,年龄极小的婴幼儿不能佩戴口罩,易引起窒息。