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sure, wear a mask. just not one with a valve
while they are effective at protecting the wearer from ...
apr 29 2020
2 minute read
california has banned masks with valves. stock/getty
recently, wearing masks in public has become widely accepted, even mandatory in some cities. california’s bay area is one of the places enacting a mask order but there’s a catch: you can wear any mask you like as long as it doesn’t have a mask valve.
mask valves are the tiny plastic piece attached to the fabric on some face masks and respirators . it’s a one way valve that closes whenever you breathe in to prevent pathogens from getting through. whenever you breathe out the valve opens, expelling air from the mask.
usually, these masks are used during fire season in california, but aren’t as effective as other masks designed for medical purposes. they are commonly used to help decrease humidity, heat and moisture inside the mask, but do not block the transmission of covid-19.
while they are effective at protecting the wearer from pathogens, they don’t protect others from coughing and sneezing since they can release large respiratory droplets into the air. essentially, what you’re breathing back out into the air is unfiltered, which can potentially spread viral particles to others. even the american centre for disease control and prevention (cdc) recommends that hospitals don’t use n95 respirators that have valves.
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“respirators with exhalation valves should not be used in situations where a sterile field must be maintained (e.g., during an invasive procedure in an operating or procedure room) because the exhalation valve allows unfiltered exhaled air to escape into the sterile field,” it says on the cdc website.
so even if you are in an area that hasn’t banned mask valves, should you continue wearing them? the answer is probably not. even though you technically are wearing a mask that protects yourself from pathogens in the air, it’s still putting other people at risk (especially if there’s a chance you’re infected).
but if you have a face mask at home that complies with the world health organization’s (who) guidelines, it’s recommend that you cover your nose and mouth with the mask, making sure there are no gaps between it and your face. try to avoid touching the mask while wearing it — and washing your hands immediately if you do.
when you’re done with the mask, take it off from behind (don’t touch the front of the mask), discard it immediately and wash your hands afterwards. replace your mask as soon as it gets damp, and make sure to never reuse or reshare disposable masks.
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