Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cloth Masks To Prevent The Spread Of COVID-19

JAKARTA - The use of masks is one of the efforts to prevent the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19. Unfortunately, the availability of health masks is running low due to high demand. Another way to outsmart the need for this health mask is to use a cloth mask.

However, it is necessary to know the advantages and disadvantages of cloth masks. Erlina Burhan, a pulmonary specialist in Persahabatan General Hospital (RSUP), said that cloth masks cannot hold small particles, including the corona virus.

"This cloth mask cannot protect the entry of all particles and this is not accompanied by medical personnel. With the consideration that 40 to 90 percent of particles can penetrate the mask," Erlina said during a press conference at Graha BNPB, Jakarta, Wednesday, April 1.

Based on research, cloth masks can only filter transmission by means of droplets, but not aerosols or airborne. The reason is because cloth masks have space leaks or do not completely cover them. In fact, someone who uses it can still smell or taste, substance, smell or smell something around it.

"So the effectiveness of the filtration is that 10 to 60 percent of these particles can be prevented. And of course because of this cloth mask there is a leak," said Erlina.

However, he said, there are advantages to using cloth masks, namely that they can be washed repeatedly. It is recommended to wash this cloth mask using detergent and warm water because it can kill viruses that stick. The use of a cloth mask is recommended as a last resort. Because, the filtration rate is very far when compared to surgical masks.

"The use of surgical masks is 3 times more effective than cloth masks or homemade masks. So once again, this supports that this surgical mask is for health workers or sick people and if the cloth mask period becomes the last choice if there are no more masks, "said Erlina.