Experts warn against face masks in rain: “Make your mask …

There is autumn, there is the rain. And that is pretty annoying in corona times. After all, when mouth masks get wet, they protect much less well against the corona virus. The World Health Organization and experts therefore recommend that you have a second mouth mask with you when you go out the door. “Or an umbrella”, says Erika Vlieghe.

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Now that autumn is in the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that governments provide citizens with sufficient information about the problems that this can pose. “All face masks should be replaced with dry face masks when wet or visibly damp,” says a WHO advisory.

In our country it is still mandatory to wear the mouth mask in busy places, so there is a risk of the masks getting wet in rainy weather. Infectiologist and Celeval member Erika Vlieghe confirms that a wet mouth mask does not provide sufficient protection against the corona virus. “That certainly applies to paper masks. The filter capacity then decreases significantly because layers will stick together. ”

Don’t just let it dry

Sarah Lebeer, professor of applied microbiology at the University of Antwerp, says she is concerned about more wet masks due to the rain. “A mask that gets wet will not stop drops that come out of the mouth as well. In addition, it can just worsen the spread of the virus and bacteria. The moisture ensures an increased transfer: the virus sticks to it longer, which means there is a longer chance of spreading. ” She also advises to be careful. “Your mouth mask really shouldn’t get wet. Keep in mind that every time you exhale, you can potentially expel the virus to someone else. ”

Also important according to Lebeer: it is not enough to put a wet mask on the heater when you get home and let it dry. “That is not enough. The virus lingers on it, and if it gets wet again, it can be transferred again via droplets. So you have to boil it, put it in the wash at 60 degrees or iron it with a steam iron. Moisture is a favorable environment for a virus. We have to be vigilant about that. ”

In France, wearing a face mask is mandatory everywhere, and the government recommends citizens to have a second – and dry – face mask at all times in case the mask gets wet. That would also be useful for us, says Lebeer. “Or use an umbrella”, Vlieghe suggests.

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