During the time of the pandemic, using equipment that can fight COVID-19 is one of the most important issues. the European Union has indicated – not only masks, overalls, protective goggles but also autoclaves, a sterilization device as a key tool but why?

 

Means and devices used to fight COVID-19

The European Union demonstrated the means and devices which are key tools in fighting coronavirus. In conjunction with the applicable guidelines, the use of these protective measures can efficiently prohibit the spread of COVID-19 and protect people at risk of infection Protective equipment include sterile disposable gloves, eye goggles, and safety glasses, disposable surgical face masks, reusable masks, overalls, and also autoclaves. Measures can be divided into personal protective equipment (PPI) and agents with a wide range of applications. They will be discussed in detail.

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment that provides personal prevention is available to everyone. They are close nowadays for both non-healthcare workers and healthcare workers in the market dealing with patients. Personal protective equipment includes sterile disposable gloves, eye goggles and safety goggles, disposable and reusable face masks, and overalls.

1. Disposable gloves

Disposable gloves are one of the most important personal protective equipment. they are used daily, by almost everyone, by physicians, nurses, and paramedics during clinical work, and by any person who has or may get in contact with harmful microorganisms. Several types of gloves are available on the market, such as latex, vinyl, nitrile, powdered and powder-free. During the current outbreak pandemic, it is advised to wear them outdoors, in public transportation, or during shopping.

In the UK, many shops supply their clients with reusable gloves. If you wear them, keep in mind that gloves are just superficial protection. COVID -19 is transmitted by droplet infection, covering your hands will not protect you from being a victim of the virus. While wearing some basic rules have to be followed in order for the gloves themselves not to be a threat. Firstly, you should not touch your face while wearing gloves. Second, before wearing the gloves, your hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, for a period not less than 20 seconds. After you remove the disposable gloves from the container, put on only one of them, and hold the gloves at the place where your wrist should be. The other glove should be removed with your bare hand. What is more important than wearing the gloves correctly is the correct way to remove gloves. One of the gloves has to be grasped at the wrist level and pulled off, turning the inner side on top. The removed glove has to be held in the other hand and, with a sliding motion, put the fingers of your bare hands between the gloves and your wrist. Then carefully remove the other piece of gloves by pulling it along the palms of your hand, then pull it over your other gloved hand.

2. Goggles and safety glasses

Protective eye goggles and visors can efficiently protect the eyes against injuries occurring due to splashes, dust, and different types of liquids. They are used by almost everyone, by lab technicians, and during the pandemic, They are used daily by healthcare professionals who may be frequently exposed to coronavirus patients. But why? That's because coronavirus has the potential to enter the body through the eyes., At the beginning of the epidemic, many cases of illness were reported by doctors in China most probably due to the absence of safety goggles during their work. Face Masks can only protect your nose and mouth, that's why health care professionals and hospital workers should wear protective eye goggles as much as possible and whenever they can. It is strongly recommended that protective eye goggles have to be worn after gloves and masks are put on, along with any protective suit.

3. Surgical mask

Disposable surgical masks are the most trending masks available on the market., they are used by healthcare professionals every day, and also, in operation rooms and by individuals exposed – during their work - to dust particles and other pollutants. They are used mainly for protective action against microorganisms (drops or particles) having a diameter of more than 100 μm. Type II masks having more than 98 percent BFE filtration are used more commonly than other mask types. As mentioned before, these are disposable masks that have to be dismissed after every single use.

Mouth and nose covering doesn't provide full protection against microorganisms, they have to be used only as part of the whole protective suit A misused surgical mask can be a source of harm and infection in itself that's why it should be worn and removed correctly. Your hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water before putting the mask on, and while putting it on, you should not touch the front part of the mask, only use straps or elastics while putting it on, never try to touch it with your bare hands while wearing it to avoid any contamination, then you should remove the mask without touching the front part of it, and wash your hands carefully with soap and water after throwing the mask away.

4. Reusable anti-virus mask

Many types of reusable anti-virus masks are available on the market they can be autoclaved after usage. They include FFP2 or FFP3 masks, their determination denotes the degree of their filtration. For instance, the FFP3 mask is almost supplied with 99%. N95 and N99 filter masks are also available on the market, they can retain up to 95% or 99% of any kind of virus, bacteria, and dust, in respect This type of mask is much more expensive than the other type of disposable surgical masks, and recently they are difficult to access. The filter in the mask has to be changed regularly, and you have to keep in mind that after sterilization its barrier ability decreases.

5. Safety uniform

Up till now, health care professionals use it only in exceptional cases, now it is used with any kind of security service that may come in close contact with coronavirus along with other various personal protective equipment, and it can really provide a very high level of protection. During the pandemic, it is an extremely demanded product but unfortunately, it may become a really scary product. Is available on the market. A 4b suit is quite sufficient and effective in any epidemiological emergency. It can effectively protect against dust, aerosol, or any secretions containing the SARS-COV-2 virus. According to the most recent safety protocols, you should wear it after you put on your mask and before you put on the second pair of disposable gloves.

Measures with a wide reach

Measures with a wide reach augment t the basic personal protective equipment. They can effectively help in protection against harmful pathogens, starting from usable surfaces, and ending in everyday objects. They include liquids and disinfectants and also autoclaves.

1. Liquids and disinfectants

Liquids and disinfectants which contain at least 60% alcohol in their ingredients are the main means of protection against covid-19. They can effectively destabilize the virus's lipid membrane Disinfection is a chemical process that targets the vegetative forms of microorganisms. It is now crucial to disinfect everyday items such as telephones, payment cards, and other items if not possible to wash them with soap and water. Pathogens may stick to the surface in which the sick person has been in contact within many cities even bus stops and streets are disinfected Coronavirus may be an active threat for many days depending on many factors. Walls and floors must be disinfected several times a day, especially in hospitals and medical institutes and even the air has to be disinfected with the use of plasma sterilizers or ultraviolet lamps.

2. Autoclave

The autoclave is a type of equipment used to sterilize any kind of reusable instrument. It can sterilize by the action of pressure steam to ensure full safety and decrease the risk of infection The process of destroying all types of microorganisms, including spores is called sterilization. Hospitals, medical institutes, and any place where tissue continuity may occur use it on a daily basis. During the time of pandemics, autoclaves can effectively sterilize bandages, dressings, and reusable surgical masks. They are also used by workplaces that produce surgical masks (they have to be sterilized before use Any object that has undergone the sterilization process is called sterile it is completely safe for the human body and is 99% free of any harmful pathogen. Everyday items such as forks, knives, spoons, and any other small tableware items, scissors, clippers, metal files, keys, and coins can be effectively sterilized. Any personal protective equipment such as masks has to be sterilized before their disposal.