The big mask lie: Fancy kitenge will not protect you

In a span of a month, face masks, have transitioned from public health requirement - a life saver- into a fashion statement.

As everyone scrambles to get their hands on one, whether to protect yourself and those around you from Covid-19 or avoid arrest, little attention has been given to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) issued-standards on how masks should look like, or made of.

And with priority shifting to wearing them with less regard to quality, a whole nation is now living a big  lie. With masks of different shades, sizes and colour everywhere, a country has slowly rebooted to the pre-Covid-19 mode; trooping to workplaces, malls and markets.

Exactly what should a Kebs-compliant mask have?

According to the guidelines issued by the standards agency, a face mask should be made of two layers of woven fabric, preferably white or light in colour. This therefore, invalidates the many shades of masks that are found in the streets screaming different colours for one people.  

“These comprise an outer layer and an absorption layer. Both layers shall be pleated horizontally and at the front of the mask (the outer layer side) the pleats shall face downwards,” Kebs said.

Uncomfortable types

It is not unusual to hear people wearing masks complaining of ear lobes hurting; this could be due to failure to follow the requirement which stipulates that the length of the elastic tape should ensure the wearer is comfortable.

While some of the masks have come in fancy shapes, another requirement is that they should be rectangular. The outermost layer should be 100 per cent polyester while the second layer should be 100 per cent cotton.

The masks must also come in different dimensions depending on the age of the wearer. For instance, masks worn by children between two and four years should have two pleats while those above that age should have three pleats.

For accountability and traceability, the masks should be labelled by the manufacturers address, country of origin, size or age group, number of masks packaged, and must have the words, ‘Not for surgical use’ and ‘Wash with soap and water before use’.

There are different types of masks; surgical and N95 masks. Both have different abilities; the surgical mask has a one way production that captures particles or droplets from the wearer. It is typically used to prevent spread of common colds and flu. One of its attributes is that it is loose fitting and recommended for the general population.

The N95 mask on the other hand is designed for two way protection as it filters air entering or exiting the wearer. It filters about 95 per cent of airborne particles.

One advantage N95 has as opposed to surgical mask is that it sits tightly on the face. This is why it is used mainly by health workers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), however, warns that masks are not foolproof because a virus can still enter through the sides or enter the body through the eyes.

Business as usual

In his typical abrasive style, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe warned, “It is a personal responsibility to ensure the disease does not spread. We cannot police distancing. It is very difficult; you can only take responsibility for yourself. Please, don’t wait until you turn positive and then you start blaming the Government.”

But it seems Kenyans have not taken this piece of advice with seriousness. A visit to different public spaces in Nairobi tell a different story.

A good example is the Marikiti Market, smack in the middle of Nairobi, where it is business as usual as Kenyans go about their business. Here, face masks are an unwanted inconvenience forced on them by the Government.

Patrick Kamau, a trader at the market says, “First of all, they are very uncomfortable to wear for long. I wear them when I notice police officers nearby to avoid arrest.”

Currently, along the streets, masks are retailing for as low as Sh20 for locally made ones. Surgical masks still sell for about Sh150, a price a section of Kenyans feel is too high.

Githinji Gitahi, the global CEO for AMREF, gives a different perspective of the masks. He classifies their use into two. The first category is those on the frontline in healthcare and those who are already infected with coronavirus.

“Medical workers wear masks to protect themselves and those who are in contact with the positive cases also need to protect themselves; for this category, we have the WHO approved masks like N95,” Dr Gitahi says.

For the general public, the need for face masks is mainly to stop any droplets that might come from them landing on surfaces around them.

“Members of the public should wear masks mainly to stop them from shedding the virus in case they have it and any mask that can stop that is good enough,” he says.

He, however, warns that a mask is not a protective charm that takes away all the risks of contracting the virus.

“It is a physical barrier and if it is not covering the right places- the nose and the mouth- then it is useless,” he concludes.

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