CHITWAN: Poor management of a vast number of used facemasks along with pandemic coronavirus infection has become a matter of security concern in Chitwan recently.
The face masks thrown away here and there could exacerbate further the spread of the virus, the experts warned. Bharatpur Hospital senior physician Dr. Mahendra Agrahari said the virus infection could be fuelled by a lack of proper mask disposal.
This is because the swab, mucus, saliva, and sputum embedded in the inner part of the face masks used can also help spread the virus if the face masks used by the general public have not been well disposed.
Health Bureau chief, Chitwan, Dipak Tiwari has admitted that the disposal of face masks is not up to the mark.
A face mask should be disposed of in a covered-dustbin after its use. In the absence of dustbin, the face mask should be sealed in plastic prior to disposal, Dr. Agrahari said.
Agrahari claimed that the germs in the masks could live up to 3 to 4 days because the masks contain metallic contents and plastic, and that the chances of infection were high if the face masks were carelessly thrown away.
The masks thrown in public places will likely ignite infection once dogs and cats have taken the masks to another place.
Dr. Agrahari hoped that if people were serious about the proper use and disposal of face masks, while emphasizing the need for massive public awareness of the same, it would be a great support to society.
