What is the effect? Reuse? I asked the expert about the mask on February 28 at 15:50

With the spread of new coronavirus infections, masks continue to be difficult to obtain nationwide. We asked Professor Atsuro Hamada of Tokyo Medical University, who is familiar with infectious diseases, about questions about masks.

Q. Reporter In the first place, is the mask effective in preventing the infection of the new coronavirus?

Prof. A. Hamada mask is basically worn to keep the infection from spreading. Wearing a mask is meaningful, as it can physically prevent the flying of saliva and runny nose containing viruses from flying when a person with symptoms sneezes or sneezes. However, general disposable masks cannot shut out the virus itself, such as the new coronavirus, so I don't think that wearing a mask will immediately prevent infection.

Q. The shortage of reporter masks has continued. Is it OK to reuse it?

A. Professor Hamada It is better not to reuse a general disposable mask for hygiene, even if the surface is disinfected with alcohol. Still, if you need to reuse it, put gauze inside the mask and replace it and you may be able to use it several times. However, since the mask after use is dirty, it is basically better not to reuse it.

Q. What are the precautions for using the reporter mask?

A. Professor Hamada After using the mask, the outside surface opposite to the surface in contact with the mouth is particularly dirty, so when removing the mask, do not touch it and discard it with the string on your ear Is good.

Q. What is important to know about preventing reporter infection?

A. Hamada: First of all, there is no need to worry more than necessary just because you do not have a mask. Masks are obviously not effective in preventing infections by healthy people. First of all, hand washing is important. The main route of transmission of the new coronavirus is the mucous membrane of the face, such as the nose and mouth. Touching the face with the hand carrying the virus may cause "contact infection". To prevent this, washing your hands, alcohol disinfection of your hands, and not touching your face with unwashed hands are important precautionary measures. Rather than being worried about the lack of masks and disinfecting alcohol, I would like you to take effective measures that can be taken close to you.

Akira Yokoi, Chairman of the Japan Mask Industry Association

I asked questions about masks from the mask industry group, Akira Yokoi, chairman of the Japan Mask Association.

Q1
I can't get a mask. How can I buy it.

A: The masks produced by Chairman Yokoi are shipped immediately, so I think they will be on display at stores, if not every day. Normally, masks are expected to arrive in the morning, so going to the store in the morning will increase the probability of purchase.

Q2
Can I reuse the mask?

A: We do not recommend Chairman Yokoi. When the mask is washed, the performance of the electrostatic filter inside falls, and the performance as a mask also falls.

Q3
What are the precautions when putting on a mask?

A: Yokoi's mask has both sides. The side where the dent is formed by pulling the mask up and down is the “mouth side”. Also, the one with a logo such as “OUT” is the “outside”. Some people may judge the front and the back, with or without the base of the ear lace, but care must be taken as there are differences between manufacturers and products. By the way, even if you make a mistake in the front and back, basically there is no effect on the performance of the mask. However, if the front and back are mistaken, the space between the mask and the mouth becomes narrow and you may feel a little stuffy, so read the instructions carefully and put on the mask correctly.