Varying Omicron: How to wear your FFP2 mask well?

Increasingly acclaimed in the face of the omicron variant, this particularly effective mask must nevertheless be properly used to best protect.Bfmtv.com explains how to wear it well.

We see him bloom everywhere.Previously reserved for the hospital sector, in particular in resuscitation or the surgical block, the FFP2 mask is now increasingly visible in public space.In question, the fifth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic and the contagious varying omicron.

While the High Council of Public Health must soon give an opinion on the wearing of the FFP2 mask - more effective than the surgical mask - in the general population, certain countries have already made it compulsory in some places, like theItaly or Austria.

However, the National Institute for Research and Security (INRS) insists: "an ill -adapted or poorly adjusted FFP mask does not protect more than a surgical mask".So how to wear it well?

Adjust the mask well

Like the other masks, the FFP2 must cover the nose, mouth and chin.It nevertheless has the particularity of being extremely waterproof, that is to say that the air should not escape on the sides, provided that it is well worn.First step before you equip yourself: wash your hands well.

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Then you have to touch the edges of the mask to find the harder part: the nasal bar.In the same way as for surgical masks, you must take the mask by the sides or by the elastics and put the nasal bar well on the top of the nose.Otherwise, the mask will be installed upside down.The important thing is to adjust the mask on the face and press the nasal bar so that it marries the shape of the nose and cheekbones well.

"Duck beak" masks

There are different types of FFP2 masks.Some are doing like most other masks, with elastic bands behind the ears.However, others, often called "duck beak" masks, if they are more comfortable to wear, are a little more complex to use.

When the place where the nasal bar has been identified, it is possible to fold it a little upstream, before putting it on, to facilitate the task, as advised by Hélène Rossinot on Tiktok (see video Ci-above).

Then, we put the bar on the nose and, while holding the mask, we pass the elastics behind the head.After adjusting and pressed the mask well, you have to put an elastic on the top of the skull, and the other lower.

Effective even after 10 washes

To ensure the good sealing of your FFP2 mask, the INRS advises to "cover the filter surface of the mask using a plastic sheet held in place with both hands", then inspire.If the mask crashes slightly on the face, it is well positioned.Otherwise, it must be readjust or change its size, so that it is best suited to your morphology.

"An FFP mask is designed for single use.It must be changed as soon as it becomes wet and at least every 4 hours "and" must not be reused ", explains the inrs.The best is to rely on the recommendations registered on the packaging, which specifies the maximum duration of use, which can go up to 8 hours.

Nevertheless, the UFC-Que Choisir stresses that the FFP2 can be used several times because they "retain their efficiency after 10 machine washes".

COVID-19: the omicron variant