Understanding How Face Masks and Disposable Aprons Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 and Other Infections

Face masks and disposable aprons are key pieces of personal protective equipment that play a vital role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other infections.

To understand the important role of face masks and disposable aprons in infection control, one must understand how infections like COVID-19 are spread in the first place. The most common method of transmission for COVID-19 is from person to person via virus-laden droplets. These droplets are created when someone with the disease coughs, sneezes or talks, and they can infect someone by coming into contact with the mucus membrane of their eyes, mouth or nose. Therefore, the main way that COVID-19 spreads is either people coming into contact with these virus-laden particles as they fall to the floor or by touching surfaces that have been contaminated by the droplets.

In both of these cases face masks and disposable aprons can play a pivotal role in reducing the spread of the infection.

One of the most common ways for COVID-19 to spread is through virus-laden droplets reaching the nose or mouth of a person in close contact with someone infected with the disease. This makes protecting these vulnerable areas one of the best ways to reduce the chance of infection when social distancing is not an option.

Face Masks play a pivotal role in the protection of the respiratory system. Disposable surgical masks are recommended for anyone who might be in close contact with someone infected with the disease. A face mask acts as a physical barrier that reduces the chance of inhaling hazardous airborne particles such as virus-laden droplets.

Aside from protecting the wearer, a mask can also stop an infected individual from spreading the disease to their environment, which is why wearing a face mask is always recommended for anyone suspected of carrying the virus.

While face masks protect the nose and mouth, they leave the eyes exposed, which is why they are often combined with face shields for better protection of the whole face. A face shield is a clear visor that overlays the whole face and provides protection from direct sprays or splashes of virus-laden droplets.

As noted above, a possible method of viral transmission is through infected droplets landing on the surface of objects and then being brought into contact with the eyes, mouth or nose. There is a very real risk that if these droplets land on the skin or clothing of a healthcare worker, the infection can then be carried out of the healthcare facility and out into the community.

Disposable aprons provide a physical barrier that stops these droplets from landing on a healthcare worker’s skin or clothing. After the patient has been taken care of, the healthcare worker will then dispose of the apron, reducing the chance of the virus being carried out of the infected area on their person.

When combined with other precautions such as wearing a face mask, proper hygiene and any other pieces of recommended personal protective equipment this can be an effective method of reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other infections.