The origin of masks
The earliest "mask-like objects" in historical records appeared in the 6th century BC. The ancient Persians used cloth to cover their faces during religious ceremonies to prevent the vulgar breath from being unclean.
To prevent bad breath from spreading to the emperor's food in China during the Yuan Dynasty, the waiter used a "face mask" made of silk and gold thread.
When the Black Death was rampant in Europe, the "Doctor Beak" appeared, wearing a black hat, a beak-like mask, white gloves in hand, and a wooden stick to protect himself from infection.
The birth of a mask
In 1895, German pathologist Ledersch discovered that airborne germs could infect wounds. He suggested that doctors and nurses wrap their mouth and nose with gauze during surgery. As a result, the wound infection rate of patients is greatly reduced. As a result, masks have gradually become popular and popularized in European medical circles.
In 1897, a British surgeon installed a thin iron wire stent in the gauze, leaving a gap between the gauze and the nose and mouth, to overcome the weakness of poor breathing. In 1899, French doctor Paul Bertie made a six-layer gauze mask and sewed it on the collar of the surgical gown. It only needed to turn the collar back up. Later, he changed the mask to a way that can be tied freely, and hung it on his ear with a loop strap. Modern masks were born so gorgeously.
Mask evolution
From March 1918 to the end of 1919, the most terrifying “Spanish flu” in history caused about 20% of the world’s people to be infected, and the death toll was about 20 million (the latest research also estimated that it was about 100 million). The death toll in the war was still high, which became one of the reasons why the First World War ended early. During the spread of the epidemic, people were forced to wear masks, especially the Red Cross and other medical staff. Since then, masks have become a symbolic image of the emergence of epidemics.
In the 2003 SARS epidemic in my country, masks also reached their peak at this time, and their use and popularization reached a new high. The outbreak of SARS almost made masks out of stock. Subsequently, the emergence of influenza A and smog increased the demand for masks.
How to choose masks during flu season?
At present, there are many kinds of masks on the market, such as fashionable masks, ordinary medical masks, N95 masks, etc. So when influenza and other respiratory diseases are high, how to choose masks to prevent infection?
First of all, choose medical masks, and anti-haze masks (see "Respiratory Protective Equipment-Self-priming Filtered Particle Respirators" (GB2626-2006), "Technical Specifications for Daily Protective Masks" (GB/T 32610-2016)) Cannot be used for pathogen protection. Second, choose a suitable medical mask. Medical masks include medical protective masks, medical surgical masks, and ordinary medical masks.
Medical protective mask
Protective effect: The important technical indicators of medical protective masks meet the "Technical Requirements for Medical Protective Masks" (GB19083-2010): particle filtration efficiency> 95%, blocking pathogenic microbial organisms with a diameter of <5μm or close contact with droplets to transmit infection性particles. The inhalation resistance is less than 343.2Pa, that is, medical protective masks can prevent most pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Scope of application: Medical personnel working in high-risk areas where respiratory infectious diseases are spread or in contact with patients with respiratory infectious diseases, such as fever clinics and respiratory outpatient clinics, should wear medical protective masks.
Medical surgical mask
Protection effect: The main technical indicators of medical surgical masks meet the "Technical Requirements for Medical Surgical Masks" (YY0469-2011) standard, particle filtration efficiency> 30%; bacteria filtration efficiency> 95%, inhalation resistance <49Pa; compared to medical protective masks , Medical surgical masks can block most bacteria and some viruses.
Scope of application: It is suitable for use in relatively densely populated places, such as the protection of staff in outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, and medical guides, and patients with respiratory infectious diseases.
Ordinary medical mask
Protection effect: The technical indicators of ordinary medical masks meet the relevant registered product standards, and generally lack the requirements for filtration efficiency of particles and bacteria, and the protection of pathogenic microorganisms is not accurate.
Scope of application: It can be used for general medical activities in ordinary environments (such as visiting patients, etc.) or blocking pollen and dust to prevent allergies.
