14Jul
first-res face masks latest 2021

N95, FFP2 NR & KN95 Mask Fitting – How to Check for a Good Fit?

July 14, 2020By

2020 is the year that has changed the meaning of normal for each and everyone across the globe! As we cautiously tread ahead in the new decade we will have to get comfortable with the new “normal.” And, a vital part of this normal is wearing masks!

Whether we wear N95 masks, FFP2 NR Masks, KN95 Masks, or NIOSH N95 masks, their proper fitting is important to ensure that they serve their purpose.

How to ensure that the mask fits well?

Fortunately, most masks come with the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use them. The first step is to adhere to these instructions.

Some common instructions for wearing the mask include:

Fitting the nose clip on the mask to the shape of the nose. 

After this, you will need to ensure that the straps are placed appropriately ensuring a positive face seal.

You can verify if your mask is a good fit by ensuring that there is no airflow between the mask and face when inhaling. This test is important for any N95 masks, FFP2 NR Masks, KN95 Masks, and NIOSH N95 masks. 

After making sure that you have followed all instructions provided by the manufacturer, the next step is the “odor test.”

Traditional “surgical style mask” or “dental mask” do not block odors. In contrast, a properly manufactured and fitted N95 mask, FFP2 NR Mask, KN95 Mask, and NIOSH N95 mask should be able to block odor. This might feel strange to people who are not accustomed to wearing medical masks. 

If your mask fits well you will be unable to smell your cologne, perfume, body odor, etc. from yourself or others around you.

Some health care professionals check for the odor test by spraying a familiar perfume nearby (no directly at the face) and inhaling deeply to test. The mask is considered compliant and well-fit only if they are unable to smell the perfume.

It is recommended that you change your mask after a few hours. While changing your mask, you will need to move to a “safe area” and change to a new N95 mask, FFP2 NR Mask, KN95 Mask, or NIOSH N95 mask!

Each time you change your mask, make sure that you follow the above instructions for a proper fit.

Unfortunately, even during such troubled times, there are many looking for their own profits. Therefore, there are counterfeit masks available in the market. These masks could cause more harm than good. Hence it is imperative that you ensure that you use only genuine masks.

How to guard against counterfeit masks? Check this Frist-Res blog about the risks of counterfeit masks.

READ MORE
14Jul
first-res COVID-19 outbreaks

Coronavirus Update: Australia Tightens Restrictions On Fresh Covid-19 Outbreaks

July 14, 2020By

Australian states on Tuesday tightened restrictions on movement as authorities struggle to contain a fresh outbreak of Coronavirus  in the country’s southeast that is starting to spill into other areas.

With growing fears of a second coronavirus wave nationally, two states extended border restrictions and Australia’s most populous state imposed limits on the number of people allowed in large pubs.

READ MORE
10Jul
first-res international arrivals

Australia To Restrict Rate Of International Arrivals During Coronavirus Crisis

July 10, 2020By

Scott Morrison has announced that Australia will reduce the rate of international arrivals by more than half – with at least 4,000 fewer Australians returning home each week – and states will charge people for compulsory two-week hotel quarantine.

The national cabinet met to consider the worsening second-wave outbreak, which has seen the reimposition of stage-three lockdowns in Melbourne and isolated Victoria with border bans imposed by every state and territory.

READ MORE
10Jul
first-res Melbourne Football Clubs

Three A-League Melbourne Football Clubs Allowed To Leave Victoria During Coronavirus Outbreak

July 10, 2020By

Football Federation Australia (FFA) said, three A-League clubs who were unable to leave Melbourne before the city went into lockdown due to Coronavirus have been given exemptions to travel to a hub in New South Wales ahead of the competition’s restart.

The FFA said the teams would travel to NSW as soon as possible to an “agreed facility” where they would quarantine for 14 days. With the season resuming on July 16, the Melbourne teams’ matches will have to be postponed.

READ MORE
09Jul
first-res-multinational companies in melbourne

Coronavirus News: 15% of Melbourne Businesses Won’t Survive Lockdown

July 9, 2020By

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said Melbourne is now at risk of losing a significant chunk of its iconic restaurant and cafe scene, a sector that contributes $2.5 billion each year to the state’s economy.

Many businesses are bracing for another “devastating” blow as more than 15 per cent say they will be forced to close for good during the city’s second coronavirus-induced lockdown.

READ MORE
08Jul
first-res airborne transmission

WHO Acknowledges ‘Evidence Emerging’ Of Airborne Spread Of Coronavirus

July 8, 2020By

The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged “evidence emerging” of the airborne spread of the novel coronavirus.

Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead on the coronavirus pandemic at the WHO, told a news briefing that “We have been talking about the possibility of airborne transmission and aerosol transmission as one of the modes of transmission of COVID-19,”.

READ MORE
08Jul
first-res Coronavirus Tax Updates

Coronavirus Tax Updates: Federal Government Considering Bringing Tax Cuts

July 8, 2020By

The Federal Government is considering bringing forward planned income tax cuts forward as part of Coronavirus economic response..

Mr Frydenberg said further income support would be made available after the September deadline for JobKeeper and JobSeeker. Major banks had agreed to extend the period under which loans could be deferred by people facing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

Greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will go into lockdown for six weeks, to deal with a surge in coronavirus cases in the state.

READ MORE
07Jul
first-res face masks latest 2021

Coronavirus Update: Do Face Masks Really Reduce COVID-19 Spread?

July 7, 2020By

With the recent spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, people are looking to face masks as a way of protecting themselves and others from the virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

But does wearing a face mask prevents the spread of coronaviruses?

Yes, wearing a face mask can help reduce the spread of the coronavirus by people who have COVID-19 but don’t realize it.

READ MORE
07Jul
first-res WHO Updated Guidance

WHO Published Updated Guidance On The Use Of Face Masks To Control Coronavirus.

July 7, 2020By

On 5 June 2020, WHO published updated guidance on the use of face masks for control of COVID-19. This guidance is based on evolving evidence and provides updated advice on who should wear a mask when it should be worn and what it should be made of.

World Health Organization updates guidelines on Masks.

Notably in areas with widespread infection:

  • All people working in clinical areas should wear medical masks
  • People over 60 years of age or with underlying conditions should wear a medical mask
  • Governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport.

First-Res has FDA, CE and PMDA certified masks available to ship, factory direct. (3 ply, 5 play, medical masks, surgical masks, N95, KN95, FFP2 NR, etc)

Except from todays WHO announcement, here is what’s new:

  • In areas with the widespread transmission, WHO advises medical masks for all people working in clinical areas of a health facility, not only workers dealing with patients with COVID-19.

That means, for example, that when a doctor is doing a ward round on the cardiology or palliative care units where there are no confirmed COVID-19 patients, they should still wear a medical mask.

  • Second, in areas with community transmission, we advise that people aged 60 years or over, or those with underlying conditions, should wear a medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible. 
  • Third, WHO has also updated its guidance on the use of masks by the general public in areas with community transmission.

In light of evolving evidence, WHO advises that governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments. 

Our updated guidance contains new information on the composition of fabric masks, based on academic research requested by WHO. Based on this new research, WHO advises that fabric masks should consist of at least three layers of a different material. Details of which materials we recommend for each layer are in the guidelines.

READ MORE