IT Partners Review - Face Masks in Times of the 2nd Wave of Corona

India is going through a Tsunami of the 2nd wave of Corona. The most essential product in these times are face masks which everyone has been advised to wear whenever venturing out of the house and also inside the house if one is living with a family. However, which masks are fit to be worn? What are some of the positive and negative qualities of each mask? DQ Channes discussed with IT partners, who gave their insights about different types of masks.

Types of Masks - Pros & Cons

First, we need to know how many types of masks are there in the market. The lowest-cost and the most commonly available is the light blue disposable mask. Perhaps the best positive trait of this mask is that it is low cost and everyone can afford it. However, it completely blocks the passage of air, thus not allowing the person to breathe. This is the reason we see many people wearing this mask to push the mask away from the nose. Thus in effect, they are not wearing a mask. Their mask is only a token. Further, being disposable, we see these blue masks lying around everywhere, which is a great threat to the spread of Corona infection.

Second is a cloth mask made of 2-3 layers of cloth. It is washable and reusable. Hence, many people prefer these masks as they have to buy them only once. Also, they don't lie around in public because they don't have to be discarded. However, they also block the air almost 90%, making it difficult to breathe. Hence, people wearing this type of mask also have to remove it from time to time to be able to draw in some air. Thus they are not very effective.

Third is the N 95 type of mask, much prescribed by the doctors. These have a ridge in the middle. Because of their shape, they enable the person to draw in air and hence, they don't have to be removed from time to time. However, this mask is again not washable and reusable. Hence, the danger of the spread of infection because of the discarded masks is still there even with N 95 type.

IT Partners Speak

"A common approach for safely reusing N95 masks is to keep multiple masks and use them in rotation, leaving a gap of a few days (i.e. quarantining individually in a labeled plastic box) before reusing a mask."

--Sanjiv Krishen, CMD, Iris Global, New Delhi

"Awareness to be created for proper disposal of used masks and other such material, as we have heard of them being misused."

--Pankaj Shah, MD, TechnoPlus Systems, Mumbai

"The problem is that cost escalation created by black marketers/hoarders etc has made it a luxury item for the middle class and below strata of the society."

Sanjiv Krishen, CMD, Iris Global, New Delhi says, "N95 mask is undoubtedly the best protection for Covid 19 which is why my response is focused only on this type. If you encounter many people for work or have to go to any crowded place the safest option is this type."

Krishen goes on to add, "An N95 mask should never be washed as this diminishes its protection. It can can be discarded safely by using a disposable bag which should be completely sealed and can kept at home, but out of reach for a few days before discarding the sealed bag. Respirator valves on masks are not advisable during Covid-19 as one's exhaled air is released into the surroundings."

Pankaj Shah, MD, Networking Engineering, TechnoPlus Systems, Mumbai says, "Awareness to be created for proper disposal of used masks and other such material, as we have heard of them being misused."

Praveen Chithapuram, Managing Partner, Vasavi Computer Academy, Vellore points towards the black marketeers operating in the area of masks. He says, "The problem is that cost escalation created by black marketers/hoarders etc has made it a luxury item for the middle class and below strata of the society."

Sell Masks with Caution