Coronavirus – Misconceptions about homemade masks and disinfectants

For many weeks, Hungary and many other countries have been suffering from the lack of disinfectant and surgical mask import, which became the two most essential things since the coronavirus has appeared on the continent. Following websites and social media platforms, many try to make these at home by themselves, which has more drawbacks than benefits. 

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Surgical mask

Index reported that wearing these masks is only necessary for those who have been infected, but many people rushed to stores and pharmacies to purchase them. The price of the professional hospital surgical mask has increased by 1,500% worldwide. 

It is important to know that surgical masks do not protect people from getting infected. 

These masks are used by doctors and aim to prevent the patient from being infected during medical procedures. The mask covers the doctor’s face and nose where most of the infections come from. If we would like to buy a mask at stores, the FFP3-signed ones are the best and most effective. The coronavirus also infects more and more people in a way where they do not show any symptoms. Therefore, the logical step would be for everyone to wear a mask.

Those who wear the mask incorrectly (not covering the whole mouth and nose) have a higher chance of getting infected because this results in touching our faces more often to get the mask into its right position. The mask on its own is not enough to protect yourself; it is also important to wash your hands more often and use disinfectant.