During the influenza pandemic, information was spread, with the rumour that “the mask was not working during the influenza pandemic”, leading many people to misperception in the face of the influenza threat, thus relaxing due diligence and increasing the risk of infection.
Influenza is an acute respiratory epidemic caused by influenza viruses and is transmitted mainly through foam and exposure. When an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, he/she produces flue-containing foams, which, after a brief stay in the air, may be infected by inhalation of the respiratory tract by the surrounding person; in addition, the virus can be attached to the surface of the object and enters the human body by contact with the mouth and nose after hand contact. The rationale for the mask is to create a physical barrier between the mouth, nose and outside environment.
For flue transmission, medical surgical masks and N95 masks can effectively stop the fumigation that contains the virus. Medical surgical masks, although less filtration-efficient than N95 masks, can block most of the foam particles larger than 4 micrometres in diameter. In routine influenza protection scenarios, such as public transport, densely populated indoor sites, the correct wearing of a medical surgical mask can significantly reduce the risk of inhalation of foam. N95 The filtration of masks is more efficient, preventing at least 95 per cent of micro-particles with a diameter of about 0.3 micrometres, and is better protected against influenza viruses, especially for high-risk occupational groups such as medical personnel or family members caring for influenza patients.
In terms of exposure routes, while the mask cannot directly prevent exposure to the virus in the hand, it can reduce the risk of infection from hand touching the nose and nose, which is contaminated by exposure to the mouth and nose. For example, when we are inevitably exposed to the surface of objects contaminated with influenza viruses in public places, wearing a mask reminds ourselves to reduce the conduct of touching mouths and noses, thus reducing the likelihood of the virus entering the body via this route.
Based on actual experience with influenza prevention and control, during the pandemic, the speed and scale of influenza transmission were effectively contained in areas and sites where masks were widely used. Strict wearing of protective supplies, such as masks, by hospital health-care staff has significantly reduced the incidence of infection in the hospital, and in areas where there is a concentration of personnel, such as schools, offices, etc., the requirement to wear masks can also partially disrupt the transmission chain of the influenza virus. As in some large enterprises, staff insist on wearing masks to work, resulting in a significant reduction in the spread of influenza within the office. The critical importance of masks in influenza prevention and control has been fully highlighted by strong community advocacy for the wearing of masks and significant improvements in inter-neighborship influenza cross-infection.
Of course, wearing masks alone will not completely eliminate influenza infection, but it is an essential part of a comprehensive response. The mask, like a loyal guard, stands on the first line of defence. We should also build a full-scale protection network during the influenza pandemic. Hand-washing, in order to wash thoroughly, with liquid water and soap, viruses that may be contaminated with their hands and leave them without any place to look; maintaining social distance, reducing close contact with others and reducing the risk of flight-dispersion; and enhancing indoor ventilation, allowing fresh air to flow, dilute and take the virus. We need to recognize the critical protection role of the mask during the influenza pandemic, free from rumours, to proactively integrate these scientific and effective protections into everyday life, to stand firm in our own and others ‘ health lines and to work together to fight the pandemic.
