Mask or No Mask? May Be Modified Masks for Health Care Workers Wearing Respirators for Prolonged Hours During The COVID-19 Pandemic!

Abstract

Background The present Covid-19 pandemic along with the previous SARS, MERS and other infectious disease outbreaks have led to guidelines recommending the routine use of respirators for healthcare workers, many of whom work for prolonged hours [1]. In recent years, it is generally accepted that operating theatre staff has to wear respirators. A respirator is a personal protective device that is worn on the face, covers at least the nose and mouth, and is used to reduce the wearer’s risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles (including dust particles and infectious agents), gases, or vapors. Further the respirators used should be an unvalved Filtering Facepiece respirator (FFP2, that has no exhale valve) in operatory of clinical and hospital setting [2].