The new WHO guide on the use of masks against COVID-19 |UN news

In areas with community transmission of COVID 19, non -medical masks must always be used by the general public in closed places such as stores, workplaces and schools if there is no ventilation that has been evaluated as adequate or if you cannotMaintain a physical distance of at least one meter, says the World Health Organization.

Although the distance can be maintained, if ventilation does not meet the requirements of national institutions with respect to SARS-COV2 in terms of temperature and humidity, for example, masks should always be used as a preventive measure.

In outdoor places, the organization maintains its recommendation to use non -medical cloth, three -layer and a filter in the middle, if you cannot keep at least one meter away.

In the new guide, experts advise against the use of those facial coverage that have valves, commonly used by construction workers.

“The danger is that if you carry a valve mask and you are infected you can be expelling infected sprays.In other words, it cancels the purpose of carrying a mask.It is not dangerous for you, but it simply annuls the purpose, ”explained the organization's emergency director Michael Ryan.

WHO recalled that the use of masks is part of a comprehensive package of prevention and control measures to limit the spread of SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but only a mask, even when used correctly,It is insufficient to provide adequate protection or source control.

Other infections prevention and control measures include hand hygiene, the physical distance of at least one meter, avoiding the face, covering when coughing or sneezing, adequate ventilation in interior environments, as well as testing, tracking, trackingof contacts, quarantine and isolation.Together, these measures are fundamental to prevent the transmission of person to person from the disease.

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ILO/Kivanc OzvardaUna mujer utiliza mascarilla mientras trabaja en Turquía.

Use of masks at home

WHO recommends using house masks when there is a visitor who is not a member of the home and knows that ventilation is poor, with limited opening of windows and doors for natural ventilation, or when the ventilation system cannot be evaluated or does not workcorrectly, regardless of if you can maintain a physical distance of at least one meter.

They should also be used within homes have adequate ventilation if a physical distance of at least one meter cannot be maintained.

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Masks during physical exercise

WHO warns that people should not use masks during a physical activity of vigorous intensity since they can reduce the ability to breathe comfortably.The most important preventive measure is to maintain a physical distance of at least one meter and ensure good ventilation during exercise.

If the activity is carried out inside, adequate ventilation must be guaranteed at all times by natural ventilation or a ventilation system that works correctly or maintains.Special attention should be paid to the cleanliness and disinfection of the environment especially high contact surfaces.If all the above measures cannot be guaranteed, the temporary closure of the public exercise in interiors as gyms should be considered.

UNICEF/Vinay PanjwaniUn niño de 11 años en India muestra cómo ponerse correctamente una máscara para protegerse del COVID-19.

The use of masks in children

The organization reiterated its position that children under five should not use masks, and that the decision to be used by those between 6 and 11 years must be based on a risk approach.

The factors to be considered include the intensity of the transmission of the SARS-COV-2 in the community, the child's ability to comply with the appropriate use of the mask and the availability of adequate adult supervision, as well as the local social and cultural environmentand specific environments, such as homes with elderly relatives or schools.

Adolescents 12 years and older must follow, however, the same indications given to adults.

WHO emphasizes that special considerations are required for immunosuppressed children or for pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis or other certain diseases (for example, cancer), as well as for children of any age with developmental disorders, disabilities or other specific health conditions that mayinterfere with the use of the mask.

ILO/Jennifer A. PattersonUn vendedor informal de Costa de Marfil utiliza mascarilla para protegerse del coronavirus.

The recommended non -medical masks

WHO recommends homemade three -layer structure fabric masks (according to the tissue used).Each layer has a function:

The industrially manufactured fabric masks must also comply with the minimum thresholds related to the three essential parameters: filtration, breathability and adjustment.

WHO advises the exhalation valves because they omit the filtration function of the fabric mask, which makes it unusable.

UNDP Colombia/Jurany CarabaniEl PNUD junto con las autoridades colombianas entregaron equipos de bioseguridad a comunidades indígenas para que se protejan del COVID-19..

Uses of masks or faceshields

The masks, viewers or faceshields provide a level of ocular protection only and should not be considered as an equivalent to masks regarding protection against respiratory drops.The current laboratory test standards only evaluate facial protectors for their ability to provide ocular protection against chemical splashes.

In the context of non -availability or difficulties in using a non -medical mask (in people with cognitive, respiratory or auditory deficiencies, for example), facial screens can be considered as an alternative, pointing out that they are lower than the masks in terms ofTransmission and prevention.If facial protectors are going to be used, you have to make sure the design is suitable to cover the sides of the face and under the chin.

OMS/Elena LongariniPara usar la mascarilla correctamente, la Organización Mundial de la Salud dice que hay que tirar de la parte inferior para que cubra la boca y la barbilla.

Correct use and care of masks

For any type of mask, the use, storage and cleaning appropriate or elimination are essential to ensure that they are as effective as possible and avoid a higher risk of transmission.The adherence to the correct practices for the management of the masks varies, which reinforces the need for appropriate messages.

WHO provides the following orientation on the correct use of masks: