COVID-19: The Proper way to Dispose Used Masks & Gloves Safely

Covid-19 has been a roller coaster with utter chaos. The novel coronavirus was officially called a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. The fear of catching the deadly virus has grown deeper since then. The disease is transmitted from person to person through contact and also through respiratory droplets. To control this situation the government has brought forward many rules & regulations. One of the biggest regulations imposed was the complete lockdown of the country. Restricting the movement of people seemed to be the only way to prevent the transmission of this disease. The medical sector has never been ideal ever since this breakout. With millions of people succumbing to this disease, doctors and scientists work day and night to bring out a solution to this problem.

The common symptoms of COVID19 are noted to be fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Covering nose and mouths with masks, wearing gloves, social distancing, washing hands as well as using a sanitizer to disinfect are the basic rules to be followed to keep oneself safe from this pandemic. Since exposure is a huge factor, it is imperative to rightly use and dispose of masks and gloves to restrict the spread of the disease. Here are a few tips that could help:

Masks

COVID 19 is realized to affect the lungs through the respiratory system of a human body. Touching the face, nose, and even eyes are considered to be the primary point of contact with the disease. Thus, preventive measures are taken to cover the nose and mouth to restrict the entry of the virus. Wearing a face mask is said to be the most important weapon against this disease. It is considered to be the most effective way, in trying to be safer against the deadly novel.

There are many different masks used by the general public. However, with hospital and clinic staff increasingly exposed to the virus, they must use the right kind of mask that highly prevents the disease. N95 respirators and surgical masks are the most recommended in the medical sector. They protect a person from airborne particles causing diseases that contaminate the face. They are not recommended for general public use and are reserved for health workers alone as they constantly come in contact with sick patients. Surgical masks are loose-fitting disposable devices that are meant for a single-use. They are made in different thicknesses that keeps you safe from any airborne disease. However, wearing a mask incorrectly can hamper its effectiveness. Here’s how to use face masks the right way!

Although wearing single-use face masks is highly recommended for hospital staff, the one problem faces is its safe disposal. Not just wearing masks the proper way prevents the disease, but also disposing of them safely matters. Improper disposal of masks can whatsoever, increase the transmission or spread of the disease. Here’s how single-use masks needs to be safely disposed of:

Surgical Masks:

• Remove the mask chin upwards and without touching the exposed area. Handle the mask only by its strings.
• Once the mask is removed fold the mask half inwards making sure that any discharge from one’s nose or mouth stays inside the mask.
• Fold the mask into another half, making it look like a roll.
• The mask can also be wrapped up in a tissue paper or polythene bag to dispose of it safely in a dustbin.
• Wash your hands with soap or sanitizer before and after removing the mask.

N95 Respirator:

• When removing an N95 respirator, hold the edge of the straps to remove it.
• Gently pull it off your face, without touching the inside of the mask.
• Once removed safely place it inside a zip lock bag and dispose of it in a trash can.
• Any kind of mask used in hospitals is highly recommended to dispose of in the biomedical waste disposal unit for increased safety.
• Remember to wash your hands with soap or sanitizer before and after removing the mask.

Can theses masks be reused:

Cloth Masks: Although cloth masks are not recommended for hospital use. But if used, it can be washed, properly disinfected, and fully dried to reuse it.

Surgical Masks: These masks can be reused only if it is dry, and the shape and layers are intact, without any tear. However, it should be safely stored in a zip lock bag with a desiccated gel that absorbs moisture and keeps the mask dry. It is recommended to reuse surgical masks only for 3 days.

N95 Respirator: To reuse an N95 Respirator, store it in a clean plastic container. Ensure to dry the mask in a dry atmosphere for about 3–4 hours before reusing it. Or sterilize the mask by hanging it in a kitchen oven at 70 degrees C for 30 min.

Gloves

Gloves are the second most used component whilst the pandemic. It is advised to wear a glove to reduce the transmission of the diseases through contact. They are seen to be used in a larger number when people venture outdoors. Even though they are not as necessary for daily activities, they are recommended to be used while in contact with a sick person. Hospital workers are however strictly advised to use a pair of gloves to keep themselves safe.

Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water as well as using a sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol is recommended to be used after removing the gloves. It is important to regularly change gloves. Gloves are very efficient in the medical sector as they prevent the spread of pathogens. However, wearing a pair of gloves for a long period can be dangerous. An individual is forewarned about the defects of wearing gloves for a longer duration. Medical gloves are to be used for a time frame of two hours and no longer. Pathogens gain access to the hands of caregivers while disposing of gloves. Rubbing hands with alcohol after a medical procedure paves the way to the basic guarantee that the person is not contaminated from the same disease. As medical gloves are single-use items, reusing it would not be an ideal option. Gloves are made up of different materials such as latex and plastic. Thus, disposing them the wrong way could be deemed a hazard to both humans and the environment.

The following steps could be used for the safe disposal of gloves:

• Firstly, pinch the glove at the wrist without touching the forearm and peel away from the hand thus allowing it to turn inside out.
• Continue by holding the removed glove in the gloved hand.
• Next, slide the fingers of the bare hand into the glove making it roll out, folding it into one glove.
• After safely removing one’s gloves, it is recommended to dispose of it straight away into the trash.
• Washing hands with hot and soapy water after the procedure are the right way to go.
• If in case the individual is outdoors, wrapping used gloves with a tissue paper and then disposing it into a plastic bag would be the ideal way of discarding the pair of used gloves.

The pandemic has brought forward many changes in our daily lives which made masks and gloves the new normal. Wearing them daily would be the best way to keep an individual safe in the current scenario. It helps in the prevention and reduction of deadly disease COVID-19. However, disposing of them safely is equally significant. Following the above-mentioned steps would help in keeping one safe and contactless. Discard them the right way and be safer.