Face masks won’t help the healthy, but are useful in high risk settings

MedTech News: New recommendations relating to the wearing of face masks and respirators have been released by the University of Adelaide’s JBI, an international research organisation in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infections.

This guidance has been in response to the need for clear and concise evidence-based recommendations regarding the effectiveness of face masks and/or respirators.

According to Professor Zoe Jordan, Executive Director of JBI:

1. The wearing of masks or respirators by uninfected persons in the general community are not recommended.
2. A mask may be worn by persons at high risk of exposure (e.g. persons living in a household with an infected individual).
3. Masks should be changed immediately when they become damp.
4. Single use masks should be discarded immediately and never re-used.
5. If a mask is worn, it should be placed to cover the mouth and nose and tied securely to minimise any gaps.
6. The mask should not be touched while wearing or when removing; if inadvertently touching the mask, hands must be immediately cleaned with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
7. Cloth (e.g. cotton or gauze) masks are not recommended under any circumstances, to prevent the transmission of respiratory infection in low-risk community settings.

Register FREE and join 20,000+ industry professionals receiving the latest industry news and engaging content from Health Industry Hub; the ONLY one-stop-hub connecting Australia’s Pharma, MedTech and Biotech industry professionals.

“It is so very important in challenging times like this current global pandemic that organisations like JBI contribute to ensuring everyone’s safety. The way we can do that is with relevant, high quality information,” said Professor Jordan.