One Virus! But Different Masks in Different Countries for Protection Against it! How to Choose?

Abstract

COVID -19 is causing plenty of deaths in India as well as globally and many of them are health care workers (HCWs). As per data given by IMA 744 MBBS doctors have been died due to Covid – 19 till 4 February 20213. As this disease transmitted between person to person by respiratory droplets hence mask hygiene is very important effective preventive measure for HCWs. In market due to high demand, much different type of masks is available with different specifications. Some of them are from Indian origin and many of them are procured from foreign. Many of them are not effective to safeguard health care workers against COVID 19 infection2. Hence this paper will discuss different country specific standards of masks in relation to SARS COV-2 as well as home based disinfection method of masks. In market many masks are available and most of them are sub-standard and making falsely claim of N95. Most of them are not able to protect Health Care Workers from the infection of SARS COV-2. Hence in this paper will examine different countries specific standard of mask with respect to size of SARS COV-2. US standard N95 masks will give desire level of protection against SARS COV-2. Conclusion: NIOSH certified N95 or N99 or N100 mask should be given priority over other counties N95 equivalent masks. Chinese masks GB2626-2006 are least recommended among all other countries N95 equivalent masks6. [Saxena P Natl J Integr Res Med, 2021; 12(5): 62-68]