Wearing a mask, washing hands frequently and maintaining social distancing are the best options against Covid-19. We provide you with the inside story of the best masks in Singapore, their cost and where you can buy them.
Wearing a mask can not only protect you from others, but also protect others from you.
It acts as a barrier to respiratory droplets, whether it is your own cough (inside the mask) or another person's cough (hit the outside of the mask).
In addition, respiratory droplets are not only expelled through coughing and sneezing-they can also be spread through talking, singing or laughing. This is why the Singapore government limits the number of groups to five people and mandates that they wear masks in public.
If worn properly, masks can really help prevent the spread of Covid-19. According to this study, when any type of mask is properly worn on the nose and mouth, most (if not all) droplets will be prevented from entering the air or falling on other people.
Masks are particularly useful in crowded areas (public transportation, shopping malls, etc.) when strict adherence to safety distances can be challenging.
Also read: Reusable masks for children worth buying
There are currently three main types of masks used by the public in Singapore-homemade cloth masks, reusable government-issued masks and disposable surgical masks-all of which have been approved by the Health Sciences Agency (HSA).
Homemade cloth masks have countless prints and patterns, bringing interesting changes to the usual blue surgical masks. One disadvantage: they can only act as a simple barrier at best, but it's better than not using any mask at all.
To make your homemade cloth mask more effective, HSA recommends that it should be made of at least two layers of fabric with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in between, even though the filter may make breathing more difficult.
Remember the free masks distributed by the People’s Association and Temasek Foundation? When it comes to reusable masks with good filtration efficiency, they are your safest choice.
For example, the MaskSafe DET30™ mask distributed by the Temasek Foundation is antibacterial and washable up to 30 times. The antibacterial performance before washing is ≥99%, and the antibacterial performance drops to ≥90% after washing 30 times.
These masks are effective against 94% of influenza A viruses, which is an enveloped virus, such as SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Also read: The doctor recommends that you use an air "filter" to make your own cloth mask-how it is done
Although not as sustainable as the above two options, if you are too lazy to clean reusable masks and prefer the pre-installed HEPA filter for convenience, then disposable surgical masks are a good choice.
In addition, if you are in public places for a long time, surgical masks are better because you can simply deal with bacteria and germs at the end of the day.
You will notice that the N95 mask obviously does not appear in the mask list above. This is because the public is not recommended to use N95 masks, although they provide the best protection against Covid-19 (they can filter out 95% of the size of air particles, hence the name).
N95 masks should be reserved for medical staff because they are more likely to be exposed to the virus when treating patients.
N95 masks are not necessary for the general public, because reusable cloth masks and disposable surgical masks are also suitable.
Also read: Lace, turquoise brocade masks, priced at $33 and above-Maskela entrepreneurs get rewards from clothing rentals during the pandemic
It is strongly recommended to use a mask with good filtering ability to prevent the spread of covid-19. But wait, what exactly is filtration efficiency?
The bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of a mask refers to the degree of barrier protection provided by the material or fabric of the mask. The higher the BFE, the more effective the mask is in preventing droplets containing bacteria from reaching the wearer.
HSA requires that the BFE of the mask you wear should be at least 95%. You can usually find this information on the box of the mask.
When choosing a mask, please pay attention to the following specifications:
Not all masks are created equal. Some masks with low filtration efficiency include:
All of the above measures allow droplets exhaled by the wearer to escape and expose others to the risk of infection.
Read also: 30 labels where you can buy stylish reusable masks
HSA has published a list of local manufacturers licensed by HSA and mask brands that meet the minimum BFE requirements based on the certification standards of Europe (EN 14683) and the United States (ASTM F2100).
At present, there are 32 types of masks produced by local manufacturing plants, which have been approved by HSA.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of brands you can look out for:
As Covid-19 shows no signs of slowing down, masks may continue to exist in the near future. With the surge in demand for masks, counterfeit masks have also risen.
If you purchased a mask from an unproven source, you may need to test whether you received a genuine or fake one. Here are some ways to test them:
Remove the open cover and pull out the middle layer (made of meltblown material). If your mask is genuine, when you ignite it, the middle layer should melt and decompose instead of being ignited by the flame.
A real mask should be able to carry a lot of water and not leak.
Put on a mask and try to blow out the flame with a lighter. If your mask allows you to blow out the flame, it is not genuine.
Also read: Coronavirus: WHO recommendations on masks
Wearing a mask instead of trying to evaporate the entire face in the heat of Singapore is a challenge, but it is essential to wear a mask correctly to curb the spread of Covid-19.
When putting on a mask, make sure it covers your nose and chin, and is close to your face. Be sure to press the metal nose strip around the bridge of the nose to ensure a firmer fit.
better not. Masks are everywhere in Singapore and they are cheap. You can even get a box for free when you go for vaccination (depending on which center you go to and depending on the situation).
After all, disposable masks are disposable for a reason-they are meant to be used once, and you should throw them away after a day of use.
Also read: 10 masks you can use every day
The following masks have good filtration efficiency and help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Razer is known for its gaming keyboards and accessories, but during this pandemic, they have switched to producing surgical masks. These soft, breathable masks are individually packaged in 30 individual boxes and are even recommended in the HSA approved list.
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#Supportlocal when you buy these masks. For a limited time, buy one get one free!
This blue flower-patterned mask is sold exclusively at Watson, which not only shows cuteness, but also protects your safety.
You can always trust your local personal care store Guardian to sell quality masks. Their disposable surgical masks have a BPE of 99% to ensure that you are always protected from viruses.
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Healthlab surgical masks available on Lazada exceed 99% of the BFE requirements and have passed fire and water resistance tests. Because of the various certifications uploaded in their list, we can be sure that they are very trustworthy.
Also read: Singapore’s best 4 masks with high filtering capacity
Who said that masks must be plain and boring? These Korean surgical masks are perfect for those who want to stand out from the crowd. The mask provided on Lazada has three different designs, so there will be one that suits your style.
There are packs of 10, 20 and 30 masks, so you can mix and match different patterns. They have also been approved by the US FDA and CE.
Another local favorite is also one of the mask brands approved by HSA. These masks are individually packaged-if you want to put something extra in the bag, just in case, this is the perfect choice.
If you are a fan of reusable masks provided by Temasek Holdings and the Singapore government for free, then you should fully grasp these affordable masks that can be purchased online on Shopee.
Unlike free masks that only provide white, these faces are available in a variety of colors, such as red, maroon, blue, and green. For those who want to buy masks at a cheaper price, you can also summon your relatives and friends to order in bulk at wholesale prices.
Don't worry, children also have masks! Judging from their enthusiastic comments on Lazada, these masks are fan favorites. These face masks are labeled as children, but if you have a small face, they may also be very suitable.
Another Guardian product, these masks have more than 98% BFE, three layers of protection and hypoallergenic, which can provide top-level virus protection.
not at all. Masks may help filter out bacteria, but they do not completely protect you from Covid-19. You still need to observe the safety distance of 1m, follow the rules, disinfect and wash your hands frequently!
This article was originally published on SingSaver.com.sg.