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Protecting yourself from Pathogens such as COVID-19

Every day infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, parasites and even protein molecules threaten our health and welfare, as well as the health and welfare of our crops and livestock. Bacteria are alive and can live on many surfaces and inside our bodies.  Viruses, such as the flu or coronaviruses, like the common cold and the dangerous COVID-19, are not actually alive.  A virus is simply a series of chemicals surrounded by a protein jacket which can act as a set of genetic instructions for a cell.  When a virus enters a host cell to reproduce, the viral DNA “hijacks” the cell and programs it to make copies of the virus, thereby eliminating the original function of the cell and harming the host organism.  Viruses are very hard for your body to purge. This is why doctors get very concerned about many of them.

Healthy skin, free of cuts, abrasions, insect bites or irritation from repeated cleaning or wiping, provides an effective protective barrier against infectious agents.  A few infections spread by skin-to-skin contact, or grow on warm, moist or dark surfaces such as diapers, socks and shoes.

Most infectious agents such as COVID-19 enter our bodies through our mouth, nose, eyes and sometimes ears.  Occasionally they enter through other body openings that are often protected by clothing.  Airborne infectious agents often enter our bodies by inhalation through the mouth and nose or by impinging on the eyes. 

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Infectious agents can survive on surfaces for days, and when we touch them, they stick to us and enter our bodies when we touch our eyes, nose or mouth.  Alcohol-based hand sanitizer, even when applied in a large quantity and given 15 seconds to dry, neither destroys nor inactivates many common infectious agents such as Norovirus, Human Papilloma Virus, Giardia, Clostridium Difficile and Cryptosporidium Parvum, especially if your hands are dirty, oily, or greasy.  The CDC and other health agencies always recommend regular and thorough washing of your hands, face and any exposed skin with soap and water to protect your health and wash away and/or destroy infectious agents.

Omachron has developed a wide range of masks which all feature heavy-duty, dual straps to hold the mask securely to you, as well as durable, reusable and cleanable, closed-cell foam tested for bio-compatibility using ANSI/AAMI/ISO 10993-5.  Different mask styles and different filter combinations provide the user with a wide range of options to meet their specific needs and applications.  Different sizes provide a secure, comfortable fit for a wide range of people including children.  

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