– July 22, 2020The Union Health Ministry issued a written letter to states and union territories discouraging the use of valved respiratory N-95 masks. The ministry said that this type of masks did not help in containing the spread of the virus and discouraged the public from wearing such masks. The ministry further added that the use of masks should be as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). It noted that these types of masks are recommended when pollution levels are high and do not prevent germs from passing through the valve.