From today in Lombardy you can only leave the house by wearing the masks (which are not easily available and a surgical mask in the pharmacy sold, when there is, at no less than 2 euros). Alternatively, you can cover your nose and mouth in any other way, such as scarves, scarves and neck warmers. But can a scarf be enough? Scarves and scarves serve above all to limit the spread of droplets by potentially asymptomatic and therefore unconsciously contagious people, but they have a minimum filtering power for the wearer especially because they do not adhere well to the face as a mask can do, explains the virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco. Certainly in a situation such as the current one where the virus circulates especially in Lombardy or in other areas of Northern Italy, using a surgical mask can defend others if we are asymptomatic and in some way can protect us from contact with others if we are unable to maintain the recommended distance of 1 meter as it can happen on public transport, in the supermarket or in factories that are still open and productive. Also wear a mask (or a scarf) an excellent deterrent from touching the nose, eyes mouth because we have seen that the mucous membranes can represent the gateway to the virus in case of contact contamination.
Pedagogical importance
The fact that everyone must cover their nose and mouth – adds Pregliasco – also has a pedagogical importance: the virus is circulating, we all do something to avoid contagion with greater serenity on the part of the population. If we all wear masks or scarves and not only the symptoms we will be on the same level, without the risk of pointing to those who wear the mask as a grease. Of course, it would have been desirable to have a single directive, valid for all because in this clear way, the risk of being disoriented.
Better surgery
At the general population level, the most recommended surgical mask is easy to wear, light and more economical. It limits the spread in the environment of potentially infectious particles by infected or potential infected individuals by blocking at least 95% of the outgoing viruses. It does not have a filtering function in the inspiratory phase, therefore it does not protect against the inhalation of small air particles (aerosols) but still provides minimal protection even to those who wear it from particularly powerful droplets, Precise Pregliasco specifies. The surgical mask should be changed every 2-4 hours depending on how wet or dirty it is. But this applies in the hospital setting, where the high contaminant potential. The general population – explains Pregliasco, can also opt for recycling, perhaps by spraying a small amount of alcohol or chlorine-based disinfectant, being careful not to overdo it so as not to ruin its structure. Scarves and foulards, on the other hand, should be washed if used as a replacement for masks.
No to valves
An alternative to surgery (and a good compromise) are FFP1, which have a filtering efficiency of 78%. They protect others, but to a large extent also themselves. They make breathing more difficult and do not adapt to the face if you have a beard. If equipped with a valve it does not have a filtering function in the expiratory phase: it means that the wearer protects it himself but not the others because infected material can escape from the valve if the wearer is positive (even unconscious) at Covid-19. This is why valve masks are recommended for healthcare professionals who care for infected or potentially infected patients.
The glasses
The order of the Lombardy Region requires that you always wear the mask when you are in public but it must be remembered that if one is outdoors alone, the mask is not needed. Social distancing and frequent hand washing remain the best weapons. And can glasses be useful? Glasses can be useful to protect the eyes which are a possible entrance door such as mucous membranes. These are prudential measures in a social context.
Burioni: the masks hinder the spread of the virus
Recommendations can change over time and vary as knowledge of this new virus increases. Now we know two things: it is a very contagious virus and surgical masks hinder its spread a lot. To tell us a study published yesterday in `Nature Medicine explains the virologist Roberto Burioni. And this not only to protect us – he adds – but to protect others. So the masks will be fundamental controls in the coming months. Because we don’t know when we can go out yet, but we hope as soon as possible. And we must be ready.
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