Masks first became a “thing” in Fiji when COVID-19 hit the world, made headlines and became a global phenomenon and pandemic in the first half of 2020.
But that first wave didn’t really scare us like the second. Only two people died, and we were COVID-free for a long time.
Then wave two-hit this year, just when we thought our economy was negligibly picking up.
Since then, we’ve recorded the highest rate of cases in the world, with daily numbers hitting 1000 plus for weeks now.
With the hike in our COVID-19 cases, has been the use of face masks, which today has become a symbol of our generation.
The use of masks for health reasons have been around for many years. However, its history on preventing the spread of airborne infections is not too clear.
One medical history text suggests that in 1897, a German bacteriologist and hygienist, Dr Carl Georg Friedrich Wilhelm FlÜgge, developed the droplet theory of infection.
This theory purported that microorganisms, which cannot be seen with the naked eyes but are present in respiratory droplets, were a means by which infections were transmitted.
The same year, a Polish surgeon, Dr Johann Freiherr von Mikulicz-Radecki, came up with the idea that one layer of gauze could serve as probably the earliest protection which we have come to today call the medical mask.
In 1905, American physician, Dr Alice Hamilton, published a paper suggesting that scarlet fever was transmitted through respiratory droplets.
She, therefore, started advocating for the use of masks by nurses handling sterile dressings and doctors during operations.
It was not until 1910 that the use of face masks became common in hospitals and surgery.
To show you the importance of wearing masks, it should be noted that many years were put into researching to find out the most effective type of gauze mask.
A well-known study was conducted by Dr Brewster C. Doust and Dr Arthur B. Lyon. They tested three types of masks–coarse gauze, medium gauze and butter cloth.
That study concluded that the finer the gauze, the more effective it was in preventing the transmission of disease-carrying germs.
By the 1920s, surgical masks were widely used, but this decreased again in the 1940s.
People started to think that with the advancement in antibiotics, there was no real reason for fearing microorganisms in respiratory droplets.
That popular perception was wrong.
So the hunt to develop better masks continued.
In the late 1950s, studies concluded that a fitted filter mask was more efficient than gauze masks that had been recommended since the 1800s.
In the 1960s, disposable fitted masks were first tested, which led to the birth of the first N95 masks created in the 1970s.
The single-use fitted mask were initially popular for industrial use but later became set a benchmark in health care following the development of masks using virus-blocking technology.
As they say, the rest is now history. Disposable masks have today become a symbol of
hope.
They have transformed into a new article of clothing altogether whose objective goes beyond fashion and appeal.
Masks, the global phenomenon, keep the wearer healthy and protected.
Masks help stop the COVID-19 virus from spreading but must be used as part of an individual and family’s overall hygiene and safety protocol.
A mask doesn’t provide 100 per cent protection.
Other COVID-19 safety guidelines must be observed too to provide the best protection for an individual.
Medical masks normally have two colours.
The coloured part, mainly blue, is supposed to face the outside when worn because the blue part is made of water-resistant material while white on the inside part is absorbent. So, when you cough, it absorbs it.
The practice of wearing a mask to reduce the transmission of germs has a long history in some cities of the world, especially in badly polluted ones.
But for us Fijians, 2021 will be remembered as the first time the nation really put on a mask to survive, protect, safeguard and keep healthy.
To travel outside our houses, masks are our travel tickets. They are now compulsory to wear in public transport, in shopping centres and in workplaces. You literally cannot enjoy the freedom to travel without them. When you move, your masks must move with you.
But despite their importance, many takemasks for granted, something that simply needs to be worn to avoid being penalized by authorities and get things done.
In fact, care must be taken in wearing and looking after masks. Careful choices must be made before they are bought. They are not just something to cover your nose and mouth, they are something you wear to keep you alive and healthy.
We are emotional and social beings and it’s not always possible to maintain a physical distancing and avoid crowded spaces. There will always be a time and place when two or more will have to huddle together. This is why the use of a mask is recommended.
However, a mask alone won’t prevent the spread of COVID-19. We all need to continue practising physical distancing and washing our hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Disposable medical masks are perhaps the best to wear, but they can be costly and often in short supply because frontline workers all around the world use and discard them daily.
Non-medical masks or fabric masks can also be used. We can spot them everywhere, and they come in a kaleidoscope of colours. While they are not as effective as medical masks, they can be made effective when worn correctly and if made of the right fabric.
The World Health Organisation says the effectiveness of non-medical masks depends on the types of fabric used and the number of layers.
Whatever type of face-covering you choose, it should cover the nose, mouth and chin and be secured with elastic loops or ties. If your mask is loose or creates gaps around the mouth and nose, then it is not safe.
WHO also discourages masks with exhalation valves because the valves tend to let the unfiltered air escape, making them less effective for preventing the transmission of diseases like COVID-19.
A lot of citizens are making use of the early morning weather we are going through to exercise outdoors. But many are not wearing masks without valid reasons.
Breathing while wearing a mask during a jogging or brisk walking routine can be a challenge.
Choose to do these exercises in places where wearing a mask isn’t needed, such as at home or in a space where you can keep a safe physical distance from others.
Wash fabric masks using soap or detergent, preferably daily and in hot water.
After washing, the mask should be dried completely before being worn again. Wash or sanitise your hands when wearing and taking it off.
Correct wearing, removing and caring of masks will protect you and your family.
Until we meet on this same page at the same time next week, stay blessed, stay healthy, and stay safe
