<span style="color: #222222;">The Union Health Ministry has warned the people against the use of N95 masks with respirator valves in them saying they do not prevent the coronavirus from spreading out. The Director-General of Health Services, Dr Rajiv Garg has written to the Principal Secretaries of health and medical education of all the States in this regard. In the letter, Dr Garg has said that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">In view of it, the DGHS has urged the States to instruct all concerned to follow the guidelines on the use of face and mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N-95 masks. Dr Garg said, it has been observed that there is inappropriate use of N-95 masks, particularly those with the valved respirator, by the public other than designated health workers. He also referred to an advisory issued by the Health Ministry on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth available on its website.</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span><br />” <span style="color: #222222;">In April, the Health Ministry had issued an advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth, asking people to wear it, particularly when they step out of their residences. It also listed the procedures of making such homemade masks, asking to ensure it fits the face well and there are no gaps on the sides.</span><br />” &nbsp;