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Staying healthy and protecting loved ones from the onslaught of the deadly COVID19 virus is of paramount importance. The mandatory precautionary measures like frequent washing of hands, maintaining social distancing, staying at home, keeping away from gatherings etc., need to be practiced with diligence. Wearing the mask is something that cannot be taken lightly. It is the only way to prevent the spread of the COVID19 infection. The mask puts up a barrier that prevents both the entry and exit of cough droplets thereby breaking the cycle of the infection. While most people adhere to the rules and wear the pollution mask as a mandatory precautionary measure, the kids might find it an uncomfortable practice. But as per guidelines issues by prominent medical boards around the world, all kids above the age of 2 need to wear a mask. They are as susceptible to the infection as an adult is.  COVID mask requirements for kids While it is always better to limit interactions of kids to members of the family only, there might be times when taking them out becomes mandatory. In such instances, they have to wear the mask. Certain things that need to be taken into account when selecting masks for kids are: It should fit perfectly around their face. If the pollution mask is comfortable, kids will not fiddle with it. Masks should have adjustable ties. It is better to choose masks with ties that go around the head since the ones with ties that go behind the ears can be uncomfortable. It is also easier for kids to take off such masks. The presence of a metallic nose bridge helps to keep the mask in place after wearing it. The chosen Covid masks for kids should allow the kids to breathe comfortably.  It should essentially consist of two protective layers. Kids can dispense with the mask only when they are within the 4 walls of their homes. They have to wear the mask at all other times. However, the presence of any COVID infected family member living in isolation within the same home will make it mandatory for kids to wear face masks even at home. To prevent kids from being infected, every parent should take this precautionary measure. It would be prudent to mention here that COVID vaccines for kids have yet to be made. Teaching kids to wear the mask Kids should be taught the basic precautions required when wearing a mask. These include: Washing the hands with soap or using a sanitizer before putting on the mask Wearing the mask properly so that it fits snugly around the chin, cheeks, nose and mouth Not touching the mask front Never pulling down the mask into their mouth or under the chin Storing the mask in a container or a small nag Never sharing Covid masks for kids with others If the child suffers from a developmental disability or a mental health condition, sensory disorder etc., making them wear a mask increases their discomfort. Such children should be essentially kept at home as much as possible. They should have little or no interaction with the outer world.

With the coronavirus ravaging the population all over the globe, masks have become one of the most common tools for protection. Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, people have been advised to wear masks to keep themselves safe from the virus. However, a recent study shows that a simple misfit can reduce the effectiveness of a mask significantly. This has made it necessary for everyone to ensure that the masks they wear fit properly.   An understanding of why fitting is necessary? The way a mask functions is quite simple. It filters the air before it reaches your nose or mouth. In case of N95 pollution mask, the air does not even pass through the body of the mask. Instead, the air passes through the respirator attached to the mask and undergoes filtration in the process. Now, if a mask does not fit well, it would leave a gap between the mask and your skin.  As long as such a gap exists, particles in the air can easily slip in and out without undergoing the filtration process. This implies that you could potentially inhale the virus or release it into the air in case you are already infected. The mask plays a crucial role in protecting you as well as the others and so does the fitting.   How can you check if your mask fits properly? Now, even a slight misfit can potentially open up a gap. It might seem difficult to find such small gaps. However, here are a few ways in which you may go about it: Warm air: Unless there is a gap between the mask and your face, the air you breath out should pass through the front of the mask. Place your hands over it and check if warm air is exiting through the mask.  Airflow: You may cup your hands around the edges of the mask to feel for any airflow exiting through there. This is typically a problem for people with smaller facial profiles.  Smell: Try to smell something that has a strong scent while wearing the mask. If the mask has enough layers and fits properly, you would get either a very faint smell or no smell at all.  Other than the ways mentioned above, you may also try to observe whether the material of your mask moves in and out as you breathe. You should be able to feel warm air against your skin inside the mask if it fits properly.   How should a mask ideally fit? Air should not be able to enter or exit from the sides of your nose and the cheeks. Make sure that the air you breathe always enters through the filtration system only. Usually, it is around the curvature of the cheekbones that gaps appear. To ensure that your mask fits around the cheekbones and nose, you may use a mask fitter or wear a mask with a nose band.   Individuals often underestimate the importance of how well a mask fits them. A recent study showed that the fitting is more important than the material of the mask. Unless your mask fits you properly, you would always be at the risk of getting infected.

Higher pollution levels lead to a higher risk of lung infections and other respiratory diseases. Sometimes these diseases might turn into chronic ailments requiring precautions to be taken throughout life. For the elderly, very high levels of pollution can be extremely detrimental.  Since pollution has become an integral part of our lives now, it is best to take precautions. Wearing an anti-pollution mask before stepping out of the house is a very effective option. However, when we visit a face mask shop near me, the number of face mask options available can be very confusing. Whether you want to buy N99 mask, N95 mask, or cloth mask, it can be quite baffling at times. Consequently, it is best to understand which mask best suits our needs before stepping out to procure one.  Naming of the mask The most popularly used masks include the N95, N99. Many of us would be wondering why masks are named using a number and a symbol. There is a scientific reason for the same. The number denotes the percentage of filtration for particles that are either .3microns or above in size. For example, the N95 mask can filter out 95% of all particles including minute particles, mites, fumes, droplets etc. Similarly, when you buy N99 mask, the percentage of filtration is 99%.  The symbol “N” has not been randomly chosen but is a letter class of Respiratory rating. It denotes that these masks only filter out non-oil particles. So if you are living in an area that has a higher amount of oil pollutants, it is best to opt for masks that contain the alphabets: R meaning that they remain resistant to oils particles for 8 hours at a stretch or P meaning that the masks are oil-proof  Benefits of Using N99 Masks You must buy N99 mask for combating pollution and get the following benefits. Filtration: As mentioned earlier, the N99 filters out 99% of pollutant. This makes it very effective to use especially in areas that experience high pollution levels.  Washability: N99 masks are reusable as they can be washed after use to remove dirt and dust from them. However, since different companies add variations to the basic design, the washability of the masks might also vary. Some masks can be washed after removing the N99 filter while others washed directly. Meanwhile, N99 mask without valve is relatively easier to wash and maintain. Thus, when you go to a face mask shop near me, you should always understand these aspects well before buying.   Presence of valves: With masks with valves, you can breathe easily. When air is inhaled, it passes through the different layers especially the N99 filter of the mask thereby ensuring their proper filtration. However, when air is exhaled, it goes out through the valves. Since the exhaled air contains more carbon-di-oxide, when using masks without respiratory valves, you might feel giddy after come time. Thus if you need to wear the mask for longer periods, it is best to opt for the N99 masks. Material: Generally, you must buy N99 mask with materials that offer effective filtration, such as non-woven, electrostatic polypropylene fibre. Cleaning of the N99 mask valve Generally, to clean the valves, you need to follow the instructions mentioned on the mask packet. However, you should take care to clean the valves gently to avoid filter damage. To retain the usability of the mask for longer durations, it is best to pat the mask gently or use a soft brush to removed trapped dust and dirt from the valves. Another best alternative is to get an N99 mask without valve. As the name implies, the N99 mask without valve comes with same N99 filter but lacks a valve. This way, you save your time and risk of cleaning or damaging the valves.  Disadvantages of N99 mask These masks are not recommended for people who are already suffering from a breathing disorder. When using the n99 mask, you might experience some resistance to breathing. While the introduction of valves makes it easy to some extent, still if you have COPD or asthma, you should not opt for this mask.  Overall, when you buy N99 mask, make sure it has the N99 filter which efficiently filters the air helping breath cleaner than ever.