This article is intended to enlighten the reader on the principle of filtration involving nose mask, uncovering the main facts about different types of PPE (Personal protective equipment), how to identify original nose mask, basic qualities a standard nose mask must have, the proper way a nose mask must be worn against the falsely spread methods of usage, why N95 and N100 are much better protective than surgical mask, health implications of nose mask overusage and more.
This is going to be an interesting read, there are some things you probably must have been doing out of Ignorance, reading this article will enlighten you.
Ensure to take a chill glass of soft drink because it is gonna be a long ride but I can assure you that it is worth your time. Let's get on with this shall we.
The economic trend since corona virus pandemic onset
Since the outbreak of corona virus, there have been great concern and increased usage of surgical mask.
The price of this medical personal protective equipment (PPE) speedily sky rocketed.
Retailers suddenly began to hoard and as well as increased the price of this equipment due to the fact that importation became a major challenge.
They were obviously scared of going out of stock. Due to fear of the unknown.
They probably believed that they might not be able to get new delivery when their old stock is finished and there is every likelihood of an increase in the price of importation of new stock.
Corona virus pandemic have caused not only an increase in PPE prices, but have also caused increase in some medical and general commodities like hand sanitizers, testing diagnostics kits, non contact thermometers and more.
Getting them now is more like getting the Japanese passport.
Bearing in mind that China is one of the major supplier of commodities to Africa, with emphasis on Nigeria and other neighbouring African countries. Getting some of this equipment is now is major problem to the common man.
The rich and well placed individuals use more and better PPE (ventilators) than health care providers who are are actually supposed to be using them.
The politicians and well to do individuals are able to get the more advanced respiratory masks such as N95 and N100 while the ordinary health care provider use the less effective surgical mask.
Prices of virtually anything that will reduce the spread of the disease went up. Due to the several travel and trade restrictions, many outlets took advantage of the pandemic to exploit the common man.
Well looking at the scenario, one wouldn't want to fully apportion the blame on them as they are also fighting to stay in business.
Getting new stock would obviously be difficult as the producers would as well take advantage of the present situation to increase the cost price in a bid to make more profit since there is high demand.
This is simple economics of demand and supply.
Due to the outrageous increase in prices of sanitizers, personal protective equipments such as nose masks etc, this has forced people into improvising by producing their own hand sanitizers and also the trending stylish design of nose mask made from fabrics.
This is also recommended by regulatory bodies.
You could actually make your own nose mask by following the procedure in this document by CDC: how to make nose mask with clothes
To ensure you are on the safe side, do not buy any hand sanitizer whose alcohol concentration is less than 60%. Preferably, for nose mask made locally, avoid buying from those hawking them on the road.
Some persons test and return the nose masks to the sellers just in a bit to look for the one that perfectly suit them and this is a very dangerous practice.
The person testing this nose mask could be infected. It is much better to get from your tailor or fashion designer. Currently what people do now, remnants of your material can be used to sew nose masks for you.
All you need do is to instruct your tailor to get you enough nose mask from the remnants of your clothes.
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