FDA SAYS DON'T BUY OR USE THIS AIDELAI FACE MASK

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday warned the public against buying and using AiDeLai disposable face masks, which do not have the regulator's official certification attesting to its safety.

The regulator reminded the public to always check if a product is registered to ensure safety and quality by visiting the FDA Verification Portal.

It said of the AiDeLai disposable face masks that are popular online, "Since this unnotified medical device product has not gone through evaluation process of the FDA, the agency cannot assure its quality and safety."

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ARE TWO FACE MASKS BETTER THAN ONE?

One mask is enough to guard against COVID-19 as long as it's medical grade, said the World Health Organization said Monday, January 24, 2022, as some people have begun wearing double masks with the discovery of the new virus variants.

In the Philippines, masks need to be certified by the Food and Drug Administration to qualify for medical use.

On top of masks, the government also requires face shields at all times when out in public.

Double-masks have taken the spotlight in the U.S. since President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and poet Amanda Gorman were seen wearing two masks during the inauguration.

Said WHO country representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe in an ANC report, "It depends on what kind of masks you are wearing, medical or surgical masks, we don't think there is a necessity for two masks.

"What is more important is you wear the mask appropriately, you handle it approrpiately and not be touchig it all the time and follow hand hygiene."

In his weekly address to the nation on January 25, President Rodrigo Duterte reminded the public to weak masks properly, with their noses covered.

CAN SURGICAL MASKS BE REUSED?

Health authorities say the most widespread anti-COVID weapon—surgical masks— must be thrown away after a single use, but environmental concerns are pushing some scientists to question this recommendation.

As the coronavirus continues to spread, masks have in many places become mandatory on public transport, in shops, and at work.

But cost has become an issue, as has the fact so many disposable plastic masks wind up in waterways and the oceans.

One alternative is reusable cloth masks, but many people prefer single-use surgical masks because they are lighter and individually cheaper.

The World Health Organization has said, "Medical masks are for single use only.

"Discard the mask immediately, preferably into a closed bin."

But faced with shortages during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April 2020, the WHO allowed in a June report for "exceptional procedures" to disinfect throw-away masks for reuse.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends—in emergency circumstances—hydrogen peroxide vapor to decontaminate the N95 masks worn by healthcare workers.

Other methods to purify single-use masks include exposing them to high temperatures or ultraviolet radiation.

But these methods are inconvenient for people at home, said French microbiologist and member of Adios Corona, Denis Corpet.

This article was created by Reportr.world.

Edits have been made by the PEP.ph editors.