In July 2022, health officials pleaded with the Australian government to bring back mask mandates in response to rapidly increasing cases of new infections, hospitalisation and deaths. However, political leaders have rebuffed pleas from public health officials, and state governments decided to stick with their current mask-wearing rules. Hence, wearing masks is mandatory in specific settings and strongly recommended in crowded places, including public transport, hospitals, malls, airports, residential-care facilities, cruise terminals, etc. That means if you have thrown away your face masks, believing that the virus is gone, it is time to buy face masks in Australia; otherwise, if you are spotted without wearing a mask, you will be fined on the spot.
Having different types of masks to choose from, sometimes it becomes challenging for an individual to find the best one that caters to their needs and provides them with the protection they require. Is this the case with you also? If so, continue reading! This article discusses three types of face masks available in the market and will help you find the right one for yourself.
The first one, which is very common and widely used by Australians, is Surgical masks. These are the most basic types of masks you will find on the market today. However, while surgical masks are readily available and widely used, they are not the most effective option to save you from infection. This is because these masks are made from thin and porous materials; hence, they are efficient in blocking only large-particle droplets, not the smaller ones.
These masks are meant to be used during surgical procedures, dental appointments, isolation and other medical settings. Unfortunately, small particles and airborne disease-causing viruses can easily pass through this type of mask and infect you. That means wearing a surgical mask will not be able to protect you from COVID-19 viruses. Besides this, you need to note that surgical masks are not durable. They are made of disposal materials, and you may need to replace them with new ones depending on your wearing them.
Reusable cloth masks
Next comes the reusable cloth mask. These masks have become immensely popular in light of the pandemic. As a result, reusable cloth masks have become the favourite choice of eco-conscious consumers. These masks are designed to cover the nose and mouth like surgical masks, but they are reusable and washable. For this reason, reusable masks are considered a more environmentally friendly option.
However, according to the experts, cloth masks are also ineffective in preventing viruses or other airborne diseases because they do not have a filter preventing virus particles from entering your nose or mouth. Hence, even though reusable cloth masks are breathable and versatile, they fail to provide you with the desired protection against COVID-19.
P2 and N95 masks
Compared to the previously mentioned two types of face masks, P2 and N95 are the most effective masks that offer the highest protection against various deadly viruses and particles. These masks are designed to filter up to 95% of airborne particles and prevent them from entering your body via the nose or mouth. Furthermore, P2 and N95 masks mould perfectly to your face, leaving no gaps for virus particles to seep in. Besides this, these masks come with four layers of filter made of the finest possible nano fibres, thus providing optimal protection against almost all contagious viral diseases. Moreover, these masks are reusable. Yes, you read it right! You can use these masks several times before disposing of them.
After going through this article, it is pretty clear that if you want to buy face masks in Australia, there is no better option than going for P2 and N95 masks. But remember not to buy them from any local store if you want to protect yourself. Instead, look for a reliable and trustworthy seller that provides top-notch personal protective equipment so that you can rest assured that you are buying genuine products.
