Its validity is three hours .. the mask is from protection means to source of infection

Imad Murad - Doha

From a means of protection to a risk of transmitting the virus, so can the muzzle and gloves be if not disposed of properly, according to experts, how is that?

With millions of people all over the world eager to wear masks and gloves recently, with the outbreak of the new Corona virus causing Covid-19 disease, the random dumping of these tools posed a new challenge that endangered the lives of others.

Some people throw gags and manual gloves upon leaving the consumer complexes or other facilities in a manner that puts everyone at risk, and it is known that the face masks, as soon as they are used, become moist with saliva and fluids, and when they are removed they must be immediately placed in waste containers.

The risk of spreading the infection mainly affects people who clean the streets, if they do not wear gloves at the time of cleaning, and young children may also be at risk if they pick up a contaminated mask from the ground.

Doctor Redha Al-Khaddour, head of the infection department at Al-Khor Hospital of Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, describes - in an interview with Al-Jazeera Net - leaving the mask and gloves and throwing it on the ground with the time bomb, as this behavior qualifies the germs or viruses attached to them to fly in the air, which may lead to injury to some , Adding that the duration of the Corona virus stays on fabric surfaces, such as a muzzle, is approximately three hours, which represents a danger to anyone who approaches any muzzle carrying the virus throughout this period.

Al-Khudur was not satisfied with the call to get rid of the muzzle by placing it in the garbage bins, but demanded that the masks be placed in plastic bags before dumping them in the containers designated for that, or work to burn them if conditions were available, stressing that the random dumping puts the life of cleaners in danger.

Regarding the validity of the use of the muzzle, Al-Khaddour said that the time period of the muzzle currently circulating in the global markets ranges from only three to four hours from the beginning of its use, and it loses its validity in the event of its visibility soiled, and also loses its validity if it finds a visible hole or defect.

Double risk
For his part, Dr. Khaled Youssef, a specialist in internal medicine and heart diseases, confirms that the random dumping of the muzzle and gloves makes it a means of spreading the virus instead of being a means to prevent it, pointing to the need not to underestimate these things, especially in light of the rapid spread feature of the Corona virus.

Youssef listed many instructions that everyone should follow when wearing the muzzle, at the beginning the person must, before touching it, clean his hands by rubbing them with an alcohol disinfectant or washing them with soap and water, then examining the muzzle to make sure that it is not torn or pierced, and to make sure of its application From the right side so that the colored side is to the outside.

The internal and cardiologist adds that after putting the muzzle on the face, the metal tape or the reinforced end of the muzzle must be pressed to take the shape of the nose, and then pull the bottom of it to cover the mouth and chin. After use, the muzzle is removed by removing the rubber band behind the ears, keeping the muzzle off the face and avoiding contact with its potentially contaminated parts, and then immediately disposal by throwing it in a closed waste bin.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment in Qatar is implementing sterilization and cleaning campaigns covering all regions in the country, as part of the Ministry's efforts to maintain public hygiene and public health and safety, within the framework of preventive measures taken by Doha to reduce the spread of the Corona virus.

The director of the Department of Public Hygiene at the Ministry of Municipal and Environment, Moqbel Al-Shammari, said that the campaigns targeted many vital facilities and facilities, internal streets, residential complexes and neighborhood areas, stressing that the campaign will continue until the virus is finally eradicated in the country.