Everyone living in Hong Kong must know by now the city-wide panic that the novel coronavirus has caused in our community. From toilet rolls to face masks and hand sanitisers, people are queueing up every day to snatch any goods that give them a vague hope of cleanliness and hygiene.
Face masks especially are in top demand because people see it as their first line of defence against viruses. While medical professionals do not entirely agree on the effectiveness of masks against contaminants, airborne or otherwise, they do emphasise the danger of hands and fingers touching the face, mouth, and nose after coming into contact with infected surfaces, which is why washing hands regularly and thoroughly is of utmost importance.
Different countries use varying terminology and classifications for ranking how efficient face masks are. Rating systems like BFE, PFE, and VFE are more commonly seen on Japanese brands, while in Korea, masks are classified as KF80, KF94, and KF99. ASTM, on the other hand, is more prevalent for masks manufactured in the United States. All systems designate a mask’s bacterial, particle, or viral filtration efficiency.
Getting a little confused? Let‘s break it down even further. Here is our basic guide to the different types of face masks you can find in Hong Kong.