Face masks become less effective in the rain - here’s what experts are saying
The effectiveness of face masks lessens when they get wet, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health experts have warned.
A number of experts have now stated that if face coverings become damp, they need to be replaced. They have called for government officials to provide the public with “clear advice” on this matter.
Change wet masks
People are required to wear a face covering in shops, supermarkets and on public transport in the UK, alongside a host of other places, but it is not compulsory to wear face coverings when outdoors in the UK, for example when walking between different sites.
WHO guidance explains that face masks which get wet should be replaced straight away.
“For any type of mask, appropriate use and disposal are essential to ensure that they are as effective as possible and to avoid any increase in transmission,” says the WHO.
“All masks should be changed if wet or visibly soiled; a wet mask should not be worn for an extended period of time. Replace masks as soon as they become damp with a new clean, dry mask.”
The official guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care also explains that the public should "change the face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it."
Public should be given advice about wet face coverings
“Masks need to be changed regularly and this is particularly important to understand in damp and wet weather.”
Aseem Malhotra, a consultant cardiologist, added, “It is obvious that masks will get damp as people shop and travel in bad weather.
“There has been no public campaign to make people aware that this can make their masks ineffective.”
Masks ya uso huwa na ufanisi mdogo wakati wa mvua - Wataalamu wanasema ufanisi wa masks ya uso hupungua wakati wa mvua, Shirika la Afya Ulimwenguni (WHO) na wataalamu wengine wa afya wametoa onyo. Wataalamu kadhaa wamesema kwamba ikiwa vitambaa vya kufunika uso vinakuwa na unyevu, vinahitaji kubadilishwa. Wameomba maafisa wa serikali kuwapa umma "shauri wazi" juu ya jambo hili. Wazo la kufunika uso katika maduka, maduka makubwa na usafiri wa umma nchini Uingereza, pamoja na maeneo mengine mengi, lakini sio lazima kuvaa vifuniko vya uso wakati wa nje nchini Uingereza, kwa mfano wakati wa kutembea kati ya maeneo tofauti. WHO inasema kwamba vinyago vya uso vinavyopatikana vikiwa na maji vinapaswa kubadilishwa mara moja. "Kwa aina yoyote ya kinyago, matumizi sahihi na kutupwa ni muhimu kuhakikisha kuwa zina ufanisi iwezekanavyo na kuepuka ongezeko lolote la maambukizi, ""WHO inasema." Masks zote zinapaswa kubadilishwa ikiwa zimenyoka au zinaonekana kuwa na uchafu; kinyago cha mvua hakipaswi kuvaliwa kwa muda mrefu. "Kama ni lazima, masks lazima kubadilishwa na masks safi na kavu, na mwongozo rasmi kutoka kwa Idara ya Afya na Huduma za Jamii pia unaelezea kwamba umma unapaswa ""kubadilisha kifuniko cha uso ikiwa kinakuwa mvua au ikiwa umegusa.""" "Watu wote wanapaswa kupewa ushauri kuhusu kufunika uso kwa maji, ""Masks zinahitaji kubadilishwa mara kwa mara na hii ni muhimu hasa kuelewa katika hali ya hewa ya unyevu na unyevu,"" Aseem Malhotra, mtaalamu wa moyo, aliongeza, ""Ni dhahiri kwamba masks itakuwa mvua kama watu ununuzi na kusafiri katika hali mbaya ya hewa." "Hakuna kampeni ya umma ya kuwafanya watu wawe na ufahamu kwamba hii inaweza kufanya vinyago vyao visivyo na ufanisi. """