During the COVID-19 outbreak, wearing a face mask and regularly washing your hands are a must to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the risk of contracting it. Listed below are four items that you should carry with you. With these items, you will be safe no matter where you go!

1. Face mask

Wearing a mask is one way to avoid viruses and fine particulate matter that may attack the respiratory system. There are many different types of mask, ones that protect you from both viruses and particulate matter, and ones that only protect you from particulate matter. If you want to stay safe from COVID-19, choosing the best type of mask for you is crucial. There are six types of face mask sold in general.

● Medical Mask

This is the best mask at an affordable price. It protects wearers from respiratory system diseases and prevents the spread of viruses and bacteria from human to human at an astonishing success rate of 99%. It also protects you from particulate matter and pollen with a success rate of about 66.37%.

● Carbon Medical Face Mask

Similar to the medical masks, carbon medical face masks can filter odor better than ordinary masks.

● N95

N95 masks can keep out even the smallest viruses. They have a protection rate higher than normal medical masks, as well as high efficiency in preventing PM2.5 and PM10, with a success rate of about 95%.

● FFP1

This mask is similar to the N95 mask in terms of its efficiency. It can protect wearers from particulate matter, bacteria, as well as viruses, fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 and PM10, with a success rate of about 94%. Moreover, the FFP1 mask can save you from iron dust too.

● Cloth mask

There are two types of cloth mask: a cotton mask and a layered synthetic fibre mask. Cotton masks can protect wearers from particulate matter and respiratory droplets. However, they can’t keep out small viruses. Layered synthetic fibre masks are similar to cotton masks as they can filter particulate matter and viruses.

● Foam mask

Foam masks can filter particulate matter and pollen. They are washable and quick-drying, and can return to their original shape.

2. Alcohol Gel

Alcohol Gel is as important as face masks, and a pocketable one is especially useful. It should consist of at least 70% ethyl alcohol, a level of concentration that can break the lipid bilayer of viruses such as influenza, herpes and COVID-19. Alcohol gel evaporates at room temperature and gets rid of viruses and bacteria. Nevertheless, washing your hands with soap and water is even better.

3. Soaps

As mentioned above, although alcohol gel can get rid of viruses, washing your hands with soap and water is even better. It also doesn’t make your hands dry and irritated as much as using alcohol gel.

4. Antibacterial wet wipes

You can use antibacterial wipes not only to clean your hands and body, but also to clean surfaces that you use such as toilet seats and public tables.