Mask against the coronavirus: what is it for?
The mask is used to avoid contracting a virus, such as influenza, Covid-19 or any other viral disease. But also to protect others if you are sick yourself. Thus, a person who presents symptoms of respiratory infection or suspected of being ill can wear a surgical mask to protect others from his symptoms (at home, in public places ...). The mask can also be used in a context of prevention of exposure to the virus. It has a "barrier effect" which will prevent the passage of bacterial and viral particles. "The mode of transmission of the coronavirus is more or less the same as that of the flu, that is to say that it is transmitted from person to person during close contact (touching or shaking hands for example) and by air by coughing or sneezing (droplets of saliva, postilions) "specifies Pierre Parneix, hygienist and hospital practitioner in public health at the Bordeaux University Hospital and responsible for the Support Center for the prevention of infections associated with care (CPIAS) de Nouvelle Aquitaine .. Unfortunately, wearing a mask is not a cultural practice in France unlike other countries such as Asia. "Instead of thanking the people who wear masks because they protect us from their viruses, we tend to judge them as 'dangerous'. It is a look that must really be changed! Wearing a mask is nevertheless a very good reflex ", continues our interlocutor.
When to wear a mask
On the set of the 8 p.m. TV News, Wednesday August 12, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran gave a mnemonic to know when to wear the mask. This is the ABCD rule:
A- when we are At risk, or Old
B- when we are in a crowded place
C- when we are in a closed place
D- when the Distance is impossible to manage.
Protective mask: what is it?
The protective mask, also called "anti-virus" or for medical use, is a medical device intended to filter bacteria and to prevent contracting a virus, such as that of the flu or any other viral disease. "These masks are generally worn in the operating room to first prevent bacteria from the surgeon's mouth from being projected onto the patient's surgical wound, but can also be worn by the general public to protect themselves from microorganisms in a context epidemic, such as influenza or Covid-19 for example ", indicates Dr. Pierre Parneix. There are several types of mask that have varying filtration levels. "To define the level of filtration, a test is carried out with an aerosol containing strains of Staphylococcus aureus", explains the specialist.
Surgical mask, duck
These masks can be type I which filters out 95% of bacteria or type II which filters more than 98% of bacteria. A distinction is made between normal type 2 masks and those of type R which are more waterproof and resistant to projections. They are single-use and therefore disposable after 3 to 4 hours of use.
FFP1, FFP2, FFP3 mask
An FFP mask is a respiratory protection device intended to protect the wearer against inhalation of both droplets and airborne particles. Wearing this type of mask is more restrictive (thermal discomfort, respiratory resistance) than that of a surgical mask. It is reserved for healthcare professionals from the entire chain (medical transport, firefighters, liberal doctors, nurses, etc.) and is not intended for the general public.
→ The FFP1 mask filters at least 80% of aerosols with an average size of 0.6 µm.
→ The FFP2 mask filters at least 94% of aerosols with an average size of 0.6 µm.
→ The FFP3 mask filters at least 99% of aerosols with an average size of 0.6 µm.
Protective visor
Failing to find masks, many French people opt to wear protective visors to protect themselves from the coronavirus. In hospitals, this equipment is part of the protective elements to wear when caring for patients suspected / infected with Covid-19.
Transparent mask: inclusive, approved, for deaf people ...
Masks make communication difficult for some people. Transparent versions are thus being developed in France to meet the needs of the deaf or hard of hearing who read lips, people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities but also children who, in kindergarten in particular, need to see the lips of their parents. teachers to learn sounds. The same goes for speech therapists. Several hundred million transparent masks have been ordered by the National Education. "More than 100,000 transparent masks will be manufactured by the end of the month [...] and available in the course of the fall," said Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State in charge of disabled people, to the Journal du Sunday Sunday September 6. They will be intended for teachers of all classes and reception agents who are in contact with deaf and hard of hearing students. Secondly, they can also be useful for speech therapists and people who care for people with disabilities or autism. These so-called "inclusive" masks have a transparent plastic band at the mouth, which makes it possible to read the lips and better perceive the facial expressions of the other person. They are reusable and washable 25 times at 60 ° C. For the moment, three models of transparent masks are approved, including two which were designed by a company employing people with disabilities, according to Sophie Cluzel. These are the models: Inclusifs® (washable and anti-fog barrier mask with anti-projection window),
Afnor mask
Faced with the shortage of surgical and FFP masks, the French Association for Standardization (Afnor) has made new models of masks, known as "barrier masks" available free of charge, intended for professionals, but also individuals. This mask aims to protect the population, in addition to the essential barrier gestures in the face of the coronavirus. It meets standards validated by nearly 150 experts:
Prefer materials validated by the General Directorate of Armament or by the French Hospital Hygiene Society such as 150 g / m² cotton canvas for the outer shell and 130 g / m² viscose for the inner layer.
Avoid excessively hot or potentially irritating fabrics
The mask should be machine washed at 60 ° C, in a 30 minute cycle (cotton cycle) after each use.
Avoid masks with a vertical seam on the front: "it is nevertheless advisable to be vigilant with the models having one or more vertical seams, along the nose, the mouth and the chin. This solution was not adopted by the experts when writing the Afnor because there is a risk of leakage through the seam). ”, we can read on the Afnor website.
Washable mask: fabric, reusable or general public
The "general public" or "alternative" mask is a complement to barrier gestures. It is made of washable fabric (machine at 60 ° for a cycle of 30 minutes) and therefore reusable several times. It has filtration properties ranging from at least 70% to greater than 90% filtration of emitted particles of a size equal to or greater than 3 microns. It can be handcrafted (handmade from tutorials or pattern models available on the Internet, distributed by Afnor or the Grenoble University Hospital for example), flat or pleated, but also industrially. The French health authorities have also validated more than 80 prototypes at nearly 50 companies from fashion and textiles. A mask for the general public that meets the standards must have this official blue, white and red logo (on the right) with its maximum number of washes in sub-text.
Disposable mask
If it is not made of fabric, the mask is said to be "disposable". This is the case of the surgical mask (sold in pharmacies or on the internet) which has a lifespan of 3 to 4 hours. "Beyond that, it must be thrown in the trash. The mask is for single use and in no case washable or reusable. After each outing, upon returning home, it should not be handled and thrown away because it is potentially contaminated, "warns Dr Parneix. A mask should therefore not be reused once it has been handled and removed from the face. The FFP type mask has a duration of 8 hours. The Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency reminds you that you should absolutely not throw your mask, gloves, handkerchiefs or wipes in the street. These must be disposed of in a dedicated, resistant garbage bag with a functional closure system. The fact of throwing his mask in public space, on the sidewalks or in the street, and could be sanctioned with a fine of 135 euros, assures Sunday, June 7, the Secretary of State for the Ecological Transition Brune Poirson.
Child mask
Wearing a mask is compulsory in enclosed public places in France (shops, public transport, gymnasiums, covered markets, cinemas, etc.) for children aged 11 and over. It is nevertheless recommended to wear it from the age of 7, an age from which the child understands and accepts the importance of barrier gestures. Afnor has also provided a pattern to make a junior mask, specially designed for children from 7 years old.
For children under 2 years of age, wearing a mask presents a risk of suffocation and should be prohibited: "when the child is not able to remove the mask alone, the latter is not recommended", indicates Dr Damien Mascret on France 2.
For children under 6 years old, "wearing a mask is strongly discouraged for children under 6 because it could be dangerous", warns Jean Castex on May 6 during a hearing in the Senate.
For children from 7 to 10 years old, the mask is recommended.
From 11 years old, wearing a mask is compulsory in enclosed public places. From September 1, it is also compulsory for middle school and high school students when they are in the school, even if a distance of one meter is possible.
Where to buy a mask?
• Supermarket: Intermarché, Auchan, Carrefour ...
Since Monday, May 4, major food retailers (Auchan, Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Cora, Groupe Casino, Intermarché, Leclerc, Lidl, Netto, Supermarché Match, Système U) have confirmed that general public masks (in fabric and reusable) and disposable masks are available for sale in stores and drives. Note that it is possible to reserve a box of 50 masks (at the price of 29.54 euros) in Intermarché stores. To do this, simply go to the Intermarché website, download the online form and complete it to place an order. Following your online purchase, a booking voucher will be sent to your mailbox. On the coupon will be listed the withdrawal window as well as the store where you will have to come and collect your masks. Print or download your coupon to your smartphone and go to the store listed and on the scheduled date to pick up your box of masks.
• Pharmacy
Since April 27, pharmacies are also allowed to sell consumer masks to their customers without the need for a medical prescription. However, pharmacies cannot sell only "non-sanitary masks manufactured by an industrial process and meeting the applicable technical specifications", according to a decree, that is to say fabric masks which do not correspond to surgical masks or FFP2 masks, the latter being reserved for caregivers. Note that surgical masks cannot be sold (shops, pharmacies, etc.) for more than 95 cents since May 2, 2020 and until January 10, 2021, according to a decree published in the Official Journal on July 10, 2020.
• Internet
Attention, lots of models are for sale on the internet, on Amazon or CDiscount for example. But not all of them are effective. If you want to buy online, choose masks that comply with the French and European standard "NF EN 14683" or that meet the standards established by Afnor, with the NF logo. To see more clearly, the General Directorate of Enterprises has published a list of sellers and manufacturers who are positive in filtration tests.
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