When, How, and What Masks to Wear: Ministry of Health

To prevent the spread of coronavirus and reduce the risk of infection among healthy individuals, protective masks should be used. These can be either medical masks produced according to standards or, as an alternative if the former is unattainable, homemade cloth masks. This information comes from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia.

Any mask should be worn properly to ensure effectiveness and prevent the spread of infection. A medical mask (also known as a surgical mask) consists of three layers, with the middle layer being a filtering layer and having an aluminum flexible wire to fit the mask to the shape of the nose. The filtering layer protects against inhaling droplets containing viruses and bacteria.

A medical mask is a single-use product that should be changed every 4 hours at the most, as the filtering layer loses its protective properties when moistened by breathing. Healthcare workers, patients, and their caregivers are required to wear medical masks. Individuals over the age of 60 and those with chronic illnesses must also wear medical masks.

Medical masks should be worn when using public transport and in the service sector, as well as when providing services in shopping centers. In the absence of the possibility to obtain medical masks, homemade cloth masks may also be used. These must meet a number of requirements, particularly ensuring easy breathing, being three layers, with the inner layer made of cotton, the middle layer made of polypropylene, and the outer layer made of polyester or a blend of polyester.

It is essential to choose a fabric that can be washed at high temperatures. It is not recommended to use single-layer synthetic masks.