In an advisory, the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health has released a letter stating that those who use N-95 masks with valved respirators could be at a higher risk of contracting the infection. According to the letter, the inappropriate use of N-95 masks by the public and frontline health workers could be harmful. “They are detrimental to the measures adopted for its containment,” the Centre also warned in a letter to the principal secretaries of health and medical education of states.
Moreover, the Ministry of Health has also advised people to use homemade protective gear for both the face and mouth. Rajiv Garg, who holds the position of the DGHS wrote in the letter, “I request you to instruct all concerned to follow the use of face/mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N-95 masks.” These masks are said to be ineffective in stopping the…
