Prioritizing Protection by Face Masks during COVID-19: The Application of Customer Open Innovation

Public perception on face mask wearing during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: A cross sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Since the emergence of COVID-19, the Malaysian government has made wearing a face mask in public mandatory since August 1, 2020, as an effort by the government to control the transmission of COVID-19. However, Malaysians' willingness to wear face masks in public is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

Thus, this study aimed to evaluate their perception of face mask wearing during COVID-19 and its contributing factors.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 1024 respondents, aged ≥ 18 years, participated in this online cross-sectional survey from October 2021 to December 2021. The Face Mask Perception Scale (FMPS) was used to measure their perceptions.

RESULTS

Most of the respondents perceived wearing a face mask as uncomfortable. Our findings also revealed statistically significant differences and a small effect (f2 = 0.04) in which respondents who were concerned about being infected by the virus perceived face mask wearing appearance positively (B = - 0.09 units of log-transformed, 95% CI = - 0.15, - 0.04), whereas married respondents perceived it negatively (B = 0.07 units of log-transformed, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.09). There were no statistically significant differences in other domains of FMPS.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, discomfort was a major complaint. Marital status and fear of COVID-19 infection affected their perceptions. The public health implications of these findings highlight the importance of addressing discomfort and societal perceptions, particularly those influenced by factors such as marital status and COVID-19 experience, to promote widespread acceptance and consistent usage of face masks, which is crucial in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

Assessment of best-selling respirators and masks: Do we have acceptable respiratory protection for the next pandemic?

Background

COVID-19 pandemic caused a high demand for respiratory protection, caused a scarcity of approved respirators and the production of alternative respiratory protection. To raise public awareness through the scientific community, bestselling respirators and masks in the United States’ leading online retailer, Amazon.com, were evaluated.

Methods

Ten respirators and masks, 5 Face Protective Equipment (FPE) and 5 Cloth Face Masks (CFMs), were evaluated compared to the N95 standard. Two groups were established with the intention of comparing all masks together. The fractional efficiency and pressure drop were measured and compared to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards. In addition, grading factors for protection, comfort, and affordability were developed that can be used by the scientific community to readily disseminate to consumers for the selection of the appropriate respiratory protection.

Results

Two FPE provided acceptable efficiency (>95%) similar to the N95, while the remaining products were below or extremely below NIOSH standards. All products provided pressure drops within NIOSH standards (≤35 mmH₂O) ranging from 2.3-10.3 mmH₂O. The grading factors show that the CFMs have minimal protection, and the N95 has average comfort and affordability compared to all the products.

Conclusion

The N95 remains the best respiratory protection, and in the event of the next airborne pandemic, FPEs could serve as adequate alternative protection against the viral spread.