The Indonesian Ministry of Health has detected the first Omicron local transmission case in Indonesia. The total number of Omicron cases is currently 68 people, most of which are imported cases, although it is undeniable that there is a possibility that there are more local transmissions than reported. The Ministry of Health stated that the recently detected local transmission patient was a 37-year-old man from Medan. He was confirmed positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on December 26, 2021. aTo prevent exposure to the new variant of COVID-19, the public must remain vigilant and adhere to health protocols.
The following types of masks are not recommended as an effort to prevent infection with the Omicron variant.
Non-cotton cloth mask
Cloth masks with the type of material outside of cotton are not recommended by doctors. Cloth masks that are safe for everyday use have at least three layers of cotton, because they have tight pores.
Cloth masks that use other materials generally don't have pores as tight as cotton. This will be dangerous for the user.
"Because every indentation can accommodate germs from the outside, so it must be kept clean," a pulmonary specialist at the Friendship Hospital, Dr. Diah Handayani, SpP.
buff mask
It turns out that buff masks are also not recommended to be used. The University of Duke conducted an analysis of how effectively this type of mask protects against exposure to COVID-19.
The results of their study showed that the buff mask that was often worn by motorcyclists was the least effective type of mask, because it could not hold droplets when speaking.
"We attribute this to ... textiles breaking down large particles into many smaller particles," said Dr Martin Fischer, a chemist, physicist and study author.
Experts also say that wearing a mask alone can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19 because there are more unfiltered droplets. In fact, the buff mask material is said to be able to break down droplets into smaller particles.
Valve mask
A respiratory expert from the Friendship Lung Hospital, Dr. Agus Dwi Susanto, Sp P(K) said that valve masks are actually dangerous if used by the public.
"Valve masks are breaths from the wearer out, so if you wear a valve mask you are sick with COVID-19, then the air coming out of the mask is dangerous to the surroundings, so it's not recommended," said Dr Agus Dwi Susanto, Sp P(K), Saturday ( 27/11/2021).
