WHERE TO BUY N95 MASKS IN VICTORIA

The state of Victoria is located in the south-east of Australia bordering the Bass Strait and Tasmania on the south, New South Wales on the north, the Tasman Sea to the east, and South Australia to the west. It is the second smallest state in entire Australia, with a total area of 237,659 square miles. Four out of Australia's twenty largest cities are located here, including Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.

The economy of Victoria is ranked as the second-largest economy in Australia with many service sectors. There are many renowned theatres, art galleries, and museums. It is also a major sports capital called the 'spiritual home' of Australia's cricket and Australian Rules football.

Corona Virus update in Victoria

As of today, 29th July 2020, the number of confirmed cases reported in Victoria by the Chief Health Officer is 9,304. Out of these cases, 295 are most recent that have been reported since yesterday. Of all the cases, 34 cases are related to an outbreak or complex cases. Two hundred sixty-one of the newly reported cases are still under investigation. Moreover, 41 out of a total of 307 people in the hospitals are in intensive care.

The state of Victoria has lost 92 of its residents since the outbreak, out of which nine deaths have been reported 24 hours from 29th July. The total number of ongoing cases in Victoria today is 4,839, and the total number of 4,123 has successfully recovered from the deadly virus. Ever since the virus has started gaining significant prevalence across the world, the total number of cases processed in the state from 1st January 2020 is more than 1,554,600.

The state of Victoria believes that the outbreak in Victoria was caused by the government's enthusiastic and strict policies during the times when the virus was not that widespread. The outbreak initially started in March, and the cases began to increase until the end of March when a small decline was seen. However, the cases reached a peak in April followed by a series of fluctuations. A sharp increase has been recorded in July, and the state can be on the brink of another severe pandemic.

The expert advisory panel for infection prevention and control of the World Health Organization (WHO), Professor Mary Louise Mc-Laws, says that three risk categories are adding to the number of cases recently in the state. These categories are family clusters, health provides, and quarantine hotel staff. The government is constantly working to stop the spread, and the cooperation of the community can result in a significant change.

It's no wonder people have begun asking the question, where to buy n95 masks?

Victoria Corona Virus Policies:

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, the government has continuously introduced laws and updated them based on the progress in the state. The laws regarding wearing a mask are very simple. If one lives in the Melbourne Metropolitan area or Mitchell Shire, it is mandatory to wear anything that covers the face when one leaves the house. This law was enforced from 22nd July 2020 after being announced on 19th July 2020. The only reasons for which the residents are allowed to leave the house are for buying food and other supplies, care, and care giving, exercising, and recreation, and for studying and working, only these cannot be done from home.

In some conditions, the residents are also allowed not to wear the mask due to a medical reason or during exercise. However, one must carry the mask with them, and walking will not be counted as an exercise. Also, children below the age of 12 are allowed to go out without a mask. The penalty charged, for someone who goes out without a mask except those with a valid reason, is $200.

The residents of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are required to wear a mask at all the times they are in the area, even if they leave their homes to travel outside the area. Those who are not the residents of these areas are required to wear the mask in their vicinity and only allowed to enter the area for getting food and supplies, medical care and care giving, studying, and working. 

The state of emergency has been extended until 16th August 2020 by the government. The non-urgent crimes, events, and the breaches of the Chief Health Officer's directives can be reported to police online or at the helpline number. Due to the increase in the community transmission of the corona virus in Victoria, the state has returned to the imposition of stage 3 stay at home restrictions from 8th July 2020.

Masks:

While there are many ways people are battling against the deadly virus's catch, the most common ones that are constantly being highlighted by the media and the government faces coverings, washing and sanitizing hands, and social distancing. The use of masks has been recommended worldwide to prevent being both victims and transmitters of the disease. The face masks or other coverings help prevention of spread is the disease by containing the water droplets released from the body by coughing and sneezing. Wearing a mask on your face includes covering your mouth as well as your nose as both can be a source of the entrance of the virus in your body as well as the exit of the virus which can then transmit to other people around you which is why social distancing is very important.

A mask doesn't need to be of medical grade. A mask can be made at home using a cloth. It is just needed to be made sure that it will cover the mouth, nose, forehead, and eyes as a visor would do. If you are going for that type of mask, a transparent material needs to be used. However, if you are going for a surgical mask, other materials can be used.

It is best to keep your face masks when you leave your home even if you are in Victoria and cannot socially distance. There are conditions such as exercising, medical reasons such as asthma, respiratory problems or hearing, and talking disabilities. One is allowed not to wear a mask, as highlighted before. Other valid reasons that allow you to go out without a mask include those who have a risk of health by wearing a mask or having a job that requires one to constantly talk, such as during teaching and live to broadcast.

Also, those who travel in their vehicle with only the members of their house are allowed not to wear a mask as long as they do not get out of the car. Masks can be taken off at places where you are consuming foods and drinks or where you need to reveal your identity. Also, they can be taken off during dental treatments if it cannot be done without the mask's complete removal. Some guidelines need to be followed when you take off your mask about how to take it off and what to do first after taking it off. You can also learn about washing and cleaning the masks on the internet.

Masks and Uses:

While masks are one of the most common preventive measures of the virus, many people have one question in mind. Do masks work against the spread of the disease? Experts say they do work effectively against the spread of the COVID-19 by acting as a barrier against the transfer of the virus in the water droplets that escape your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

There are certain groups of people that are very prone to catching the virus, such as the medical staff working with the affected patients, including doctors and nurses. The CDC recommends these people to wear masks, especially when they are around them and dealing with them. Also, those who have symptoms of respiratory diseases and are in hospitals and clinics must wear the mask until they are in isolation.

While there are many subdivisions in the major types of masks available across the world, the most used masks are listed below. Please read below to find out about them and the special features they have to help you stay safe from the virus that in these times.

Surgical Masks

As their name indicates, these are the masks worn by the doctors, nurses, and surgeons. They are loose-fitting to allow the passage of air while effectively preventing the bodily fluids containing germs and viruses from escaping out of the mouth and the nose as well as from the sprays of water droplets during sneezing and coughing. It can also help prevent the escape of other respiratory secretions from your body.

These masks have a different thickness that determines how easily the wearer can breathe through it. They have small holes in them to allow the passage of air. These masks are effective in preventing large droplets from escaping or entering your body through your nose and mouth, but due to the small holes in them, microscopic droplets can do so. That is why they are not fully efficient in preventing the spread of the corona virus. They are not reusable, and if they get soiled or damp, they must be replaced immediately.

Cloth Masks

Cloth Masks can be found very easily in the market. They are very common and are sold in many stylish prints as well. It is also very easy to make your face mask at home. However, a face mask is not as helpful in avoiding the contraction of the virus, but it can reduce community transmission. They should be worn in places like grocery stores and shopping centers where it isn't easy to distance yourself socially.

Making your face mask is very easy simply by using cotton fabric from T-shirts and bandanas. Make sure your masks fit your face and cover your mouth and nose properly. It is better to avoid touching any part of your face after removing the mask until you wash your hands properly.

As cloth masks are all made of different fabrics, there is no certainty in how long they will work and when you will have to replace them, unlike, surgical masks, they can be used several times until you feel like they no longer fit your face properly or start to look dirty. If your face mask repeatedly falls off your face or is loose on the nose, it means the mask is no longer fulfilling the purpose of wearing it. 

If you see the material of your mask is becoming thin or tearing off from any side, then it is time for you to sew a new one at home or buy one online or from the store. Loth masks are not recommended for anyone with breathing problems or anyone who cannot take them off. Any mask is not to be worn by children under the age of two years.

Respirators

Commonly known as N-95 masks, these masks are specially made to fit the face perfectly. They are used by healthcare workers who work in environments where there is a very high chance of transmitting diseases. They are effective in preventing the entry of small and large droplets from entering the body, which is why they should only be used by the medical workers who need them.

The name of the mask as N-95 is said to be derived from the fact that these masks are capable of filtering 95% of the airborne particles. The general public should not use these masks because they make it very difficult to breathe. So, unless one is working in a medical or industrial setting where it is crucial to protect one's mouth and nose from the entry of small droplets, they should not be used.