If you want to protect yourself and those around you, it’s recommended that you wear a mask when going out in public. If you don’t wear a mask during this coronavirus pandemic, your risk of contracting and spreading the virus increases.
Face masks are among the first line of protection for you against the virus. COVID-19 is spread through droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person. It’s believed that 25% of people infected with the virus may not be experiencing symptoms – this is, according to the CDC. That’s why everyone should wear a face mask to protect others while out in public.
To help slow the spread of coronavirus, you need to wear a mask correctly, and avoid making these common mistakes that may prove dangerous.
Wearing a mask that only covers your mouth
If you’re wearing a mask that only covers your mouth, you’re not wearing it the right way. The virus doesn’t spread only through the mouth, but also through the nose. We breathe through our noses, and the risk of breathing in contaminated virus droplets is high if the nose isn’t covered. If you don’t cover your nose, you also risk getting contaminated from germs collected on the mask’s exterior.
Ensure that your mask covers more than the tip of your nose. Place it up to the bridge of your nose for full coverage and protection.
Wearing a loose mask
When wearing your face mask, ensure that it fits well against the sides of your face. The mask should be comfortable and allow you to breathe well, and avoid it being open on the sides as this is also common with cloth masks. The main goal of wearing the mask is to block out as much air from outside as possible. A mask that also keeps sliding off your face isn’t a good fit and offers no protection.
You keep touching your mask.
Once you put on your mask, avoid touching it all the time. Your risk of contamination increases; if your mask contains the virus, and you keep touching it and touching other parts of your body, you risk getting infected. It’s also advisable to always wash your hands with soap and water, or sanitize as much as possible.
Wearing and taking off your mask the wrong way
Always handle your mask with clean hands before wearing it and taking it off. Please don’t touch the front of the mask. Instead, use the ear loops or ties to put it on and when taking it off.
Properly clean your mask if you’re re-using.
If you’re using the reusable masks, make sure you clean it thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination. Ensure that your mask is cleaned and dried well daily. Once it’s spoiled or damaged, safely dispose of it. For quality disposable masks, purchase from Face Masks UK, ensure that you dispose of them the right way, and remember to wash your hands after removing your mask.
