Household Materials for Homemade Masks: How Effective Are They?

Introduction: With the fear of uncertain behaviours and mechanisms of the coronavirus in the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, people are required to cover their mouth and nose to prevent the spread of the virus. This has become a challenge as most countries struggle with the dwindling stocks of face masks. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested the use of cloth masks as a substitute. In an effort to find suitable materials that serve this purpose and ensure sufficient protection afforded, the masks need to be tested. Methods: In this study, the penetration and breathing resistance of 13 easily obtained household materials potentially used by the public as face masks, were randomly selected and tested by using TSI Model 8130 Automated Filter Tester, while the thickness was measured by S-Cal EVO Proximity caliper. Results: The level of thickness ranged between 0.25 mm (satin) and 4.83 mm (diaper). Double-layer denim material showed the lowest percentage of penetration (Median, IQR: 27.50%, 27.05-28.80) while the greatest was single-layer lycra (Median, IQR: 90.60%, 80.80-92.10). Single-layer chiffon fabric showed the best breathing resistance (Median, IQR in mmH2O: 1.30, 0.90, 1.45) while the worst was diaper (Median, IQR in mmH2O: 87.20, 86.95, 87.25). Conclusion: Double-layer dried wet tissue, single-layer tissue paper and double-layer non-woven fabric can be considered to be used as face masks due to their efficiency based on penetration and breathing resistance factors. © 2021 UPM Press. All rights reserved.

EVIDENCE OF RECOVERY FROM THE RESTRICTION MOVEMENT ORDER BY MANN KENDALL DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MALAYSIA

At the end of December 2019, China faced severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) which caused a "very high" risk assessment ranking. Unfortunately, it has spread all over the world and has caused a great number of fatalities. In view of this, a study of the non-parametric statistical method was carried out with the aim of detecting and quantifying the outbreak of COVID-19. From the univariate analysis, daily cases had the highest mean value indicating widespread data from the outbreak of COVID-19 in Malaysia. However, the worst output in the future during the RMO must be prepared with the help of the Government of Malaysia's Ministry of Health due to the high standard deviation value recorded. In addition, the western coast of Malaysia has been reported to have the most in comparison with the other regions. The Mann-Kendal test shows a declining trend pattern for new cases during RMO3 compared to RMO1, RMO2 and RMO4, with a dramatic increase in the Covid-19 outbreak during RMO1. Overall, the results show downward trends following the implementation of the RMO. These results have shown that the Malaysian Government has implemented an effective strategy to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.