Please use with caution the "anti-suffocation magic mask" that is not used for standardized epidemic prevention!

◎ Science and Technology Daily reporter Hua Ling

In the normalized epidemic prevention and control, in addition to vaccination, wearing a mask is still one of the effective means of protection. However, in the dog days of summer, the weather is very hot, and people will feel very stuffy and uncomfortable when wearing masks in public places. At the subway and bus stations, many citizens waiting for the bus wore masks on their faces, and the edges were soaked with sweat. Some people simply pulled the mask to their chins and put it on when the bus arrived.

Recently, many young people on the street have quietly used a kind of "anti-stuffy magic" mask, which is said to relieve the stuffy feeling of covering the face with a mask. So, does this "magic weapon" work? Can it also prevent viruses and bacteria when worn?

The "anti-suffocation artifact" cannot achieve the effect of epidemic prevention

How does this "anti-stuffy artifact" relieve the stuffiness of the mask in terms of design? To find out, a consumer bought this "anti-stuffy mask artifact" from an online platform and found that it had a mask-shaped bracket inside. When it was fixed to the inside of the mask, the mask did not fit the face completely after it was put on.

Webpage screenshot

"The flat mask can be supported by the hardness and three-dimensionality of the bracket, expanding the breathing area of ​​the mask and increasing the distance between the mask and the mouth and nose, thereby reducing the stuffiness and improving the comfort of the mask." Chen Miaoshan, R&D manager of Gongli Medical Hong Kong, revealed.

In this regard, some experts pointed out that "if you want to prevent the virus, you need to wear it in a strict and standardized manner. When wearing a mask in a standardized manner, you need to do an air leakage test, that is, cover the mask with both hands, and use your index fingers to shape the nose clip to fit both faces. Although N95 and other masks used by medical staff in high-risk areas also have support mechanisms, this is to ensure that there is no leakage, and the principle is different."

Can this kind of comfortable mask prevent epidemics? "The support in the center of the mask is too large, which can easily lead to gaps on the two sides, affecting the air density of the mask and weakening its protectiveness. The support frame is made of plastic and has a uniform shape, so it is difficult to fit everyone's face shape and is prone to shifting, which not only causes discomfort but also affects the effectiveness of the mask. In addition, an overly large breathing area also makes it difficult for exhaled water vapor to evaporate, and the humid and hot air accumulates, making people feel stuffy." Chen Miaoshan pointed out.

Screenshot of Lizhi News video

Therefore, experts from Guangdong CDC recommend that this kind of mask "anti-stuffiness artifact" should be used with caution. Masks are an important line of defense against infection with the new coronavirus. Adding a bracket to the mask will affect the tightness of the mask, greatly reducing the protective effect, and will not achieve the expected role of standard protection against bacteria and viruses.

There is a trick to relieve the stuffiness of masks

So, is there any way from a technological perspective to alleviate the stuffiness of masks?

"The material of the mask itself can be improved. Currently, the professional team of the School of Textiles and Clothing of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and our R&D team have jointly explored and developed a material that makes the skin feel cool in summer. The material has a cooling mechanism that can be activated by moisture. It can absorb moisture from the wearer's breath and the surrounding environment, and consume heat, thereby reducing the accumulation of heat between the mask and the face, and lowering the wearer's facial temperature, creating a cool feeling. In order to improve the breathability of the mask, the R&D team also carefully selected meltblown cloth with high-efficiency filtration and low resistance to replace traditional meltblown cloth, making the cool mask more breathable, thereby promoting the evaporation of moisture in the cooling layer and making the mask's cooling effect more lasting. From a certain perspective, user experience and quality are equally important, and the actual feelings of consumers are the foundation." said Huang Xueyi, chairman of Gongli Medical.

What else can we do when the weather is hot and humid and it is difficult to wear a mask?

Guangdong disease control experts suggest that masks can be removed at home or outdoors when there are no crowds and good ventilation. Masks can be removed every 2-3 hours in well-ventilated outdoor places with few people to allow the face to breathe. Handheld fans can be used to relieve the stuffiness in crowded places such as subways. When in crowded places such as offices, shopping malls, restaurants, conference rooms, workshops, etc., or when taking elevators or public transportation, medical surgical masks should be worn no matter how hot it is, and masks should be replaced when they get wet or dirty.

Finally, the expert emphasized that you can bring two more masks when you go out and replace them in time when they are wet due to sweat. This is more effective than buying non-standard anti-epidemic masks with brackets at high prices.

Source: Science and Technology Daily

Editor: Zhang Qiqi

Review: Julie

Final review: Liu Haiying