ILLUSTRATION.Tailors produce batik masks in Pakistaji, Banyuwangi, East Java, Thursday (2/4/2020).MSMEs which usually produce batik clothing, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak, have switched to producing masks made of batik cloth which are sold for Rp. 4,000 to Rp. 5,000.KONTAN.CO.ID - Masks are currently the most important personal protective equipment or PPE in the midst of the Covid-19 corona virus outbreakDid you know that currently there are five types of masks that can be used as PPE in the face of the Corona Covid-19 virus outbreak?The public needs to know that the use of masks intended for the general public and medical personnel has different types and standards.Read also: West Java corona cluster, from sharia seminars, Bethel Church congregations to Police DormitoryTherefore, the masks used need to be adjusted to the intensity level of certain activities, including to deal with the current outbreak of the Covid-19 corona virus.The following are the types and classifications of masks that the general public needs to know based on guidelines from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Cloth MasksCloth masks can be used to prevent transmission as well as anticipate the scarcity of masks that occur in markets such as pharmacies and health shops.The fabric mask that is made needs to have 3 (three) layers, namely a waterproof non-woven layer (front), a microfibre melt-blown non-woven fabric (middle), and a non-woven plain cloth (back).Read also: SOE Minister Eric Tohir: SOEs do not produce PPE and ventilatorsCloth masks need to be washed and can be reused many times.The materials used for cloth masks are cotton cloth, scarves, and so on.The use of cloth masks can be used for: For the general public in good healthThis type of mask can be used when in public places and other facilities while maintaining a safe distance of 1-2 meters.However, if the community has activities that are classified as dangerous (for example, handling Covid-19 bodies, and so on) then it is not recommended to use cloth masks but must use other types of masks and supporting PPE.Read also: Unexpectedly, Trump asks 3M to stop exporting N95 masks for medical workersCloth masks are not recommended as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for high severity because about 40%-90% of particles can penetrate cloth masks for medical personnel.Cloth masks should only be used as a last resort if surgical masks or N95 masks are no longer available.However, the use of cloth masks by medical personnel should ideally be combined with a face shield that covers the entire front and sides of the face.2. 2 Ply Surgical Maker or have another name Surgical Mask 2 Ply.This 2 Ply surgical mask, aka Urgical Mask 2 Ply, only consists of 2 layers, namely an outer layer and an inner layer without a middle layer that functions as a filter.Because it does not have a filter layer in the middle between the waterproof outer layer and the inner layer that is in direct contact with the skin, this type of mask is less effective at filtering droplets or splashes that come out of the wearer's mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.Also Read: The impact of corona, industrial electricity consumption, hotel malls fell, but households roseThus, this type of mask is only recommended for everyday use by people who do not show symptoms of flu or influenza accompanied by coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, sore throat.Because it is easily translucent, this type of mask is not recommended for use by medical personnel in health care facilities, let alone treating patients exposed to the Covid-19 corona virus.3. 3 Ply Surgical Mask or 3 Ply Surgical MaskSurgical masks have three layers, namely an outer layer of waterproof non-woven fabric, an inner layer which is a high density filter layer and an inner layer that is directly attached to the skin which functions as an absorber of large liquids that come out of the wearer when coughing or sneezing.Also read: The Ministry of SOEs mapped out the SOEs affected by the corona outbreak, who are they?Because it has this filter layer, surgical masks are effective at filtering droplets that come out of the wearer when coughing or sneezing.However, this layer is not a respiratory protection barrier because it cannot protect the wearer from inhaling smaller airborne particles.Thus, this mask is recommended for people who show symptoms of flu or influenza, namely coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, sore throat.These masks can also be used by medical personnel in health care facilities.N95 masks are masks that are commonly discussed and are a group of disposable (disposable) Filtering Facepiece Respirator (FFR) masks.This group of types of masks has the advantage of not only protecting the wearer from exposure to liquids with droplet size, but also liquids up to aerosol size.This type of mask also has a tight face seal fit so that it supports the wearer to avoid aerosol exposure as long as the seal fit is ensured to be installed correctly.Also read: This is an anti-corona fabric mask made in Russia that can be worn for daysThe types of Filtering Facepiece Respirator (FFR) masks which are equivalent to N95 are FFP2 (EN 149-2001, Europe), KN95 (GB2626-2006, China), P2 (AS/NZA) 1716:2012, Australia/New Zealand), KF94 (KMOEL-2017-64, Korea), DS (JMHLW-Notification 214,2018, Japan).This group of masks is recommended especially for health workers who have close contact directly handling cases with a high infectious rate such as positive patients infected with the Covid-19 corona virus.This type of mask has a higher filter effectiveness than N95 although it depends on the filter used.Because it has a higher filter capacity than N95, this type of mask can also filter into gaseous form.Also read: Oh my goodness, Trump just asked Americans to wear masksThis type of mask is recommended and commonly used for jobs that have a high risk of exposure to harmful gases.This type of mask can be used many times as long as the face seal is not damaged and must be cleaned with a proper disinfectant before reuse.Check other News and Articles on Google News