Virus can stay on used face masks, dispose of them properly, say experts

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can remain on face masks for up to seven days, according to Sandra Aguinaldo’s 24 Oras report on Wednesday.

In a medical journal titled "The Lancet," doctors discovered that the SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, can last up to a week in the outer layer of the face mask.

As advised by the Inter Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), Filipinos are encouraged to wear surgical or reusable masks to cover their faces amid the threat of COVID-19.

However, if the masks are not properly disposed of, one might still be at risk of infection.

According to Dr. Eric Tayag, epidemiologist and infectious disease expert at the Department of Health, when one touches a contaminated mask, it might get on their hands and face resulting in an infection.

“‘Yong mga droplets na ‘yon, puwedeng iyong lumanding sa mga surfaces na tinatawag. At kung lumanding ‘yon, mga ilang oras o ilang araw, maaaring nandoon pa rin ‘yong virus,” he said.

With this, Tayag advised citizens to dispose of surgical masks properly, while the reusable masks should be frequently washed and dried.

“Tatanggalin natin, ‘yong straps lang ‘yong hahawakan natin tapos unti-unti nating itutupi. Ibig sabihin, iikot natin ang mask. Dapat ‘pag inikot natin, ‘yong blue pa rin ang nasa labas tapos nasa ibabaw ‘yon ng tissue para sa ganoon ay babalutin mo pa rin bago mo pa itapon sa basurahan na may takip,” he said.

Tayag also urged the public to always observe proper hand washing practices.

Meanwhile, former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said to always separate the contaminated waste or face mask to refrain from spreading the virus to other people.

He added that garbage collectors should also wear protective equipment such as hair net, gloves and face mask as precautionary measures.

“Kung ibibigay sa basurero, siguro idi-dispose nila ‘yan as contaminated waste eh katulad ng hospital waste. So kung puwede, isantabi ‘yan para alam ng basurero na ito ay mga mask,” he said.

Aside from social distancing, the Department of the Interior and the Local Government also urged local government units to come up with ordinances requiring its citizens to wear masks in public places.

“Naaantala ‘yong pagpapahawa ng mga tao. So the mask may not be perfect, hindi naman perfect ‘yan eh pero kung ma-reduce natin maski 50 percent ‘yong impeksyon, malaking bagay na ‘yon,” Dayrit said. -Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News