Health experts warn against washing, reusing surgical masks

Angela Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
Health experts have warned members of the public against the culture of washing disposable surgical masks as this puts them at risk of contracting Covid-19.

Covid-19 cases are on the increase and the wearing of masks, sanitising and social distancing has to be strictly adhered to in order to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Although there is no scientific information to clarify the effects of washing a surgical mask, experts say once used the mask must be disposed of.
World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on homemade masks state that a face mask that does not have more than one layer of fabric has a high risk of exposing an individual to Covid-19 infection.

Homemade masks, the organisation advises, should be washed using hot water in a basin with laundry detergent and if hot water is not available, cold water with 0,05 percent chlorine should be used.

Bulawayo Health Services Dr Edwin Sibanda said surgical masks have a limited time use.

“There’s no scientific information on the effects of washing and reusing a surgical mask, but surgical masks are designed for single use of about four hours,” he said.

Another health expert, provincial medical director Dr Maphios Siamuchumbu emphasised the need to dispose of surgical masks after a single-use.

“Surgical masks are not meant for reuse.

People who wash them for reuse risk infecting themselves.

They are supposed to be used once and then disposed of,” Dr Siamuchembu said.

A number of people have also adopted a culture of double masking as a way to try and make surgical masks more effective.
Dr Siamuchembu however, said this has no scientific proof of being an effective measure.

“Double masking just treats the mind, it makes you feel better about yourself, but it has no scientific evidence of being effective than wearing one surgical mask,” he said.

The country started recording a spike in Covid-19 cases following the recent detection of the Omicron variant first detected in neighbouring South Africa and Botswana.