Different exposure risk groups wear masks with different standards

GB2626-2006 Respiratory Protection Self-priming Filtering Anti-Particulate Mask, GB2890-2009 Respiratory Protection Self-priming Filtering Anti-Gas Mask, GB/T18664-2002 Respiratory Protective Products Selection and Other Domestic Standards, CE Certified Respirator Standards, U.S. NIOSH Respirator Certification Standards, and the "Recommended Guidelines for Extended and Restricted Re-use of N95 Masks in Medical Environments. Guidelines for the selection and use of masks are presented according to the nature of epidemic prevention work and risk level. According to the risk of exposure of different groups of people to environmental contamination by novel coronaviruses, the risk of exposure is categorized into five classes: high risk, higher risk, moderate risk, lower risk and low risk. Each level is divided in detail according to personnel categories, covering various groups of people such as frontline healthcare workers, general medical staff, epidemic control managers, the general public, students, etc. Protection recommendations are made according to the places they are located, and recommendations for the use of masks for replacement, mask cleaning, disinfection, etc., as well as precautions are given.

According to the "Technical Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Masks for the Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Infections", the following people are considered to be at high risk of exposure: firstly, all staff working in the wards, ICUs and detention rooms where patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (confirmed and suspected cases) are admitted, including clinicians, nurses, caregivers, cleaners, and corpse handlers, etc.; secondly, doctors of fever clinics of medical institutions in the infected areas designated as Secondly, the doctors and nurses of the fever clinic in the designated medical institutions in the infected area; thirdly, the public **** health practitioners who carry out epidemiological investigations on the confirmed cases and suspected cases.

The Technical Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Masks for the Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Infections recommend that such personnel use medical protective masks; and wear goggles or protective face screens during first aid and tracheal intubation and tracheoscopy of infected patients. When there is a shortage of medical protective masks, you can choose to meet the N95/KN95 and above standards for particulate matter protective masks instead of self-priming filter respirator (full face or half-face type) with anti-particulate matter filter cotton, the power of the air filter respirator protection effect is better.

Higher risk exposure personnel include: emergency department work medical personnel, close contacts to carry out epidemiological investigations of public **** health practitioners, as well as outbreaks related to environmental and biological samples testing personnel. Such personnel should wear particulate matter protective masks that meet the standards of N95/KN95 and above.

Medium-risk exposure personnel include: general outpatient, ward work health care personnel; staff in crowded places, including hospitals, airports, railway stations, subways, ground buses, airplanes, trains, supermarkets, restaurants and other relatively confined places; engaged in epidemic-related administration, police, security, courier and other practitioners, as well as home quarantine and living with their ****. The staffs are required to wear a medical surgical mouthpiece. These people need to wear medical surgical masks.

Lower-risk exposed persons include: the public in crowded areas such as supermarkets, shopping malls, transportation, elevators, etc.; people in indoor office environments; patients attending medical institutions (except fever clinics), as well as children in childcare institutions and schoolchildren who concentrate on their studies and activities. Lower risk exposure people can wear single-use medical masks (children choose performance equivalent products).

People at low risk of exposure include: home indoor activities, residents of the diaspora; outdoor activities, including children and students in open spaces/places; and workers in well-ventilated workplaces. Masks may also be removed from homes, well-ventilated and low-density locations. Non-medical masks, such as cotton, activated charcoal and sponge masks have a certain protective effect, but also to reduce coughing, sneezing and talking and other droplets generated by the role of dissemination, can be selected as appropriate.

The Technical Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Masks for the Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Infections specifically state that, during the epidemic of Novel Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia, the use of masks can be appropriately prolonged on the premise of safeguarding public health (duration of use, frequency of use).

The Technical Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Masks for the Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Infections make the following recommendations for mask replacement: medical standard protective masks have a use-by date, and the masks are for the exclusive use of the individual, and cannot be used crosswise between personnel. High-risk personnel need to replace the mask after taking off the protective device at the end of work, midway meal (drinking water), going to the toilet, etc.; the mask should be replaced immediately if it is contaminated by the patient's blood, respiratory/nasal secretions, and other bodily fluids; the higher-risk personnel need to replace the mask after receiving a highly suspected patient; and masks worn by other risk categories of exposed personnel can be used repeatedly for many times. Wash hands according to the protocol before wearing the mask, and avoid touching the inside of the mask when wearing. When the mask is dirty, deformed, damaged or has a strange odor, it should be replaced in time.

Regarding the storage, cleaning and disinfection of masks, the Technical Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Masks for the Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Infections require that masks that need to be reused can be hung in a clean, dry and ventilated place, or placed in a clean, breathable paper bag. Masks need to be stored separately, to avoid contact with each other, and identify the mask user; medical standard protective masks can not be cleaned, can not use disinfectants, heating and other methods of disinfection; self-absorbing filtering respirator (full face or half-face type) and the power of the air-fed filtering respirator cleaning refer to the instructions; cotton gauze masks can be cleaned and disinfected, and other non-medical masks according to the instructions for processing.

This article originated from the client of China Youth Daily. To read more, please download the China Youth Daily client ()