Reference no: EM133438819

Question

Medical masks and respirators are commonly used in hospital settings to protect health workers from respiratory infections. During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, health organizations and countries had varying policies and guidelines around the use of masks and respirators. Due to these conflicting policies, there has been a constant debate in the media around the selection and use of masks/ respirators for health workers. Moreover, many countries faced a shortage of masks and respirators during the pandemic and recommended using cloth masks or allowing extended use and reuse of medical masks and respirators.

1. Which type of mask or respirator should health workers use to protect from epidemics and pandemics of emerging infections, like COVID-19?

2. What are the potential benefits and risks of using cloth masks during epidemics and pandemics?

3. What are the potential benefits and risks of extended use and reuse of masks/respirators during epidemics and pandemics?