What protection do antimicrobial face coverings offer against COVID-19?
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks and face coverings have become a common accessory in our lives. With more and more people investing in face masks as an extra layer of protection against germs and bacteria, we have seen an increase in demand for reusable face masks and antibacterial face masks.
With antimicrobial face coverings claiming to harness germ-killing properties, in this article we look at the protection that is offered by antimicrobial face coverings and what this means in the wider context of the global pandemic.
What protection do antimicrobial face coverings offer against COVID-19?
Why do we need to wear masks?
As time has gone on during the pandemic, generally people have become more accepting of the need for us to wear masks. However, there are still some people that aren’t as keen on the idea of wearing a face mask or face covering. So, why exactly do we need to wear masks?
According to the GOV.UK website, there is growing evidence to suggest that wearing a face covering does help to protect individuals and those around them from viruses like SARS-COV-2.
When social distancing is not possible, wearing a material face covering to cover your mouth and nose is vital. However, it is important to point out that face coverings should not be used as a replacement for other ways of mitigating the risk of infection, such as hand and surface washing, and minimising contact time.
What are antimicrobial face coverings?
To break this down further, antimicrobial can be defined as ‘an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth’. Now, putting this together with face coverings, we can see that antimicrobial face coverings claim to attack viruses and bacteria that land on the mask or covering.
Antimicrobial face coverings work to prevent harmful microbes from penetrating the mask. They also ensure that harmful bacteria and viruses don’t hang around on the surface of the mask. Ultimately, this means that one might not need to be so cautious and on the ball about handling and washing masks.
What protection do antimicrobial face coverings offer?
The reason that the effectiveness of these masks is now being questioned is that people could be lulled into a false sense of security due to wearing these masks. As so many people truly believe that wearing an antibacterial face mask or covering is a 100% effective way to stop the spread of the virus, many have started to wonder how effective they are.
So, how do antimicrobial face coverings work?
When looking at antimicrobial face coverings, you want to ensure you are investing in an antibacterial face mask that will offer the highest level of protection possible. So, for example, when shopping for face masks, try to go for ones that have been treated with antimicrobial treatments.
What protection do antimicrobial face coverings offer against COVID-19?
Protection against COVID-19 – What protection do antimicrobial face coverings offer against COVID-19?
As we progress through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is safe to say that heightened awareness of hygiene levels and the presence of face masks and coverings will be sticking around for a while.
So, it is important to remember that, while antimicrobial masks like the ones we have discussed today may provide some extra protection, good hand and face covering hygiene, and social distancing, remain the most important and effective ways to protect yourself and others.
What protection do antimicrobial face coverings offer against COVID-19? is a feature post – please do leave me a comment below if you want to add to the discussion here
