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Questions Raised Over Face Masks Used In Australian Hospitals

Victorian and NSW public hospitals are using a batch of respirators that are at risk of tearing and may not meet Australian manufacturing standards.

The masks did not gain National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification as an N95 respirator until 7 June; however, many of the respirators currently in use across Victoria and New South Wales come from a batch manufactured on 5 May.

Wing You, General Manager of BYD Australia, told newsGP the respirator is ‘fully compliant with Australian standards’ and the batch is ‘definitely’ safe.

‘These masks were manufactured in May. They didn’t get approval from NIOSH, but they are the same model,’ he said.

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What Kind of FaceMask Will Protect You From Coronavirus

Wearing a mask used to be something Australians saw on television or holidays abroad, but now it could save your life or someone else’s.

So, it’s important to get it right and it turns out some of the advice we’ve been given could give us a dangerously false sense of security, especially if you don’t know you’re sick.

So, the question here is which mask will best protect you and which will protect the community from unknowing carriers of COVID-19?

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Coronavirus Update: Which Type Of Face Mask Is Most Effective Against COVID-19?

Face masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from travelling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control.

So, which mask will best protect you and which will protect the community from unknowing carriers of COVID-19?

Face masks are no replacement for physical distancing and good hand hygiene. You should limit your travel and, where possible, avoid any large gatherings.

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Coronavirus Updates: U.S. Rise Over 77,000, COVID-19 Cases In One Day

According to a Reuters tally, the United States reported more than 77,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day, the biggest increase ever reported by a country.

The United States faces a bleak summer as infections surge and many states are forced to close bars and popular beaches to try to curb the rise.

The United States has reported over 3 million cases and 132,000 deaths from the virus, putting President Donald Trumps pandemic strategy under scrutiny.

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Coronavirus Conspiracy Theory Warning Of ‘Imminent Danger’ Dropped Into Letterboxes In Canberra

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has condemned a letter dropped into Canberra letterboxes falsely claiming coronavirus testing clinics pose an “imminent danger”. 

The flyer, titled an “Important Covid-19 Health Warning”, falsely warned that 30 percent of people who went to a testing site have contracted the virus during the testing process.

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Coronavirus Update: Perth Set To Host 30,000 Fans Easing Coronavirus Curbs

Australia’s most isolated city will become the spectator capital of the world on Sunday when 30,000 fans descend upon Perth Stadium as Australian Rules football resumes in the country’s west amid easing COVID-19 restrictions.

Neesham said talent will only take teams so far this season given the upheaval and off-field distractions.
“Mental strength would be a critical factor in this current environment,” he added. “It’ll be a deserved winner at the very end.”

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

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.

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

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.

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