The Government Which Now Incessantly Requires People To Use Masks

Ilustrasi masker (Image by Hank Williams from Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The spread of COVID-19 is getting more massive every day, the government also urges people to use masks every time they do activities outside the home. This appeal seemed to rectify the statement of the Minister of Health, Terawan Agus Putranto, who previously asked for the use of masks only for sick people.

In the early days of the spread of COVID-19, the Minister of Health was the most outspoken person if masks were only for sick people. One of the reasons is the existence of masks that are rare in the market because many people buy masks excessively.

However, about one month passed or the positive cases of COVID-19 reached 2,273, the call for wearing masks changed. The government spokesman for handling COVID-19, Achmad Yurianto, asked all people to use masks as a first step to break the chain of distribution.

It's just that, the type of mask recommended is not a surgical mask or an N95. Because, this type is only intended for medical personnel as the frontline in fighting COVID-19. The recommended mask is a cloth mask that is widely available in the market.

"Starting today, in accordance with recommendations from WHO, we run masks for all. Everyone must use masks. Surgical masks, N95 masks are only for health workers. Use cloth masks, this is important," said Yuri at Graha BNPB, Jakarta, Sunday. , April 5.

Spokesperson for handling the corona virus or COVID-19, Achmad Yurianto (Yuri) (Screenshot of the BNPB presscon)

The use of cloth masks must also be in accordance with recommendations, such as always washing after use. Then, use it no more than four hours to keep the virus from passing through the filtration of the cloth mask.

Furthermore, he said, reminding each other to use masks is very important. Because, no one knows who is the carrier of the virus or has the potential to be infected with COVID-19. The use of masks must also be supported by washing hands after activities or touching objects that are used by many people.

"This is an effort to prevent transmission, because we do not know that there are many cases that have the potential to infect us, besides washing hands with soap," said Yuri.

The Executive Board of the Indonesian Public Health Expert Association (IAKMI) dr. Syahrizal Syarief said, the reason for changing the appeal from the government to use masks in every activity was because many in the community had the potential to be carriers of the virus.

Those who have the potential are people who have strong immunity or immunity. However, they do not suffer from the symptoms of COVID-19.

"Because at this time, if we leave the house, it is not clear who is sick and who could become an infectious agent," said Syahrizal.

Those who carry this virus are also known as asymptomatic cases. In that case, it is a difficult way to detect the spread of COVID-19. Based on data, about 20 to 50 percent occur in young people. So, to prevent transmission it is very important to use a mask.

"People who are positive for COVID-19 without symptoms, about 20 to 50 percent occur at a young age," said Syahrizal.

Previously reported, cloth masks have advantages and disadvantages in preventing the spread of the virus. Erlina Burhan, a pulmonary specialist in Persahabatan General Hospital (RSUP), said the weakness of cloth masks is that they cannot withstand small particles, including the corona virus.

"This cloth mask cannot protect the entry of all particles and this is not disturbed by medical personnel. With the consideration that 40 to 90 percent of particles can penetrate the mask," said Erlina

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.