The Department of Health (DOH) has clarified that while cloth masks can be reused, there are other types that are for single-use only such as surgical and N95 masks.
“May mga components iyang mask natin na certain filtering mechanism, kapag hinugasan mo o binasa mo yan, mawawala na ang effect noon, so hindi na sya magiging effective against filtering these viruses, so hindi dapat yan hinuhugasan (Our masks have certain filtering mechanisms. When it is washed or if it gets wet, its effect will diminish, making it ineffective in filtering viruses. That is why it shouldn’t be washed),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire explained.
The DOH also reminded the public on the rational use of masks. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should wear surgical masks, those who work in hospitals should use the N95, and communities can wear cloth masks.
Studies have shown that wearing masks lowers the chance of transmission by up to 85 percent. This is also a part of the minimum health standards the DOH has been reminding the public of to prevent the spread of the virus. Masks must cover both the mouth and nose and must be disposed properly.
“Kung sakaling meron ka na palang biglang sakit, tinapon mo lang iyong mask mo kung saan, baka magkaroon pa tayo ng pagkalat ng sakit kung hindi natin aayusin ang pagtatapon ng mga basura (If you suddenly become sick and mask disposal is not properly done, it might cause disease transmission),” Vergeire said.
– Report from Mark Fetalco
