Face masks are now mandated by many countries. If you want to go outside, you must wear a face mask to protect yourself and others. However, face masks are only effective if they are used properly. Many of us are not medical professionals, so we are unknowingly using our masks incorrectly. This blog posts will explain some common mistakes when wearing a mask, as well as some quick tips to fix them!
Not Wearing One
There is a reason why we are told every day to wear face masks when going out in public. Face masks are just one precaution meant to slow the spread of the virus. Many people who have the virus don’t know it yet (pre-symptomatic), or aren’t showing symptoms at all (asymptomatic). If you go out in public without a face mask, you risk spreading the virus to friends, family, strangers, or anyone who is in close contact with you. While wearing masks may be uncomfortable and difficult to get used to, they are important in protecting your loved ones from getting the disease.
Not Covering Enough
Your nose and mouth are the most vulnerable spots on your face – they offer wide open areas for viruses and other pathogens to enter your body. Your face mask should comfortably sit on the bridge of your nose and fit snugly on the chin. While the chin doesn’t need to be covered, doing so can help you get better coverage around the mouth (which is why handkerchiefs aren’t as effective as other masks that hug underneath the chin). It should also fit tight enough to avoid slipping out of place.
Leaving Gaps
Your mask should fit snugly, and there should be no gaps between your face and the mask. While this is unavoidable, try leaving only slight gaps. These gaps are open doors for viruses to get inside your mask (and then inside your body). When you breathe in, air will go around the mask instead of through it, which defeats the whole purpose of the mask. The whole point is for air to be filtered through the fabric of the mask so that you aren’t breathing in any harmful bacteria. While wearing masks may take getting used to, the mask should not restrict your ability to breathe. If this is the case, try loosening the mask a little, or switch out for another mask.
Not Washing Your Hands
Putting on a clean mask is pointless if you are touching the
inside of it with germy hands, so be sure to wash your hands before you touch
it, and pick it up by the ties in order to put it on. Once the mask is on,
avoid touching it until it’s time to remove it. If you must adjust the mask,
wash your hands first. Once it is time to take it off, wash your hands, grab by
the ties to remove it, throw it away (or wash it), and then wash your hands
again. Furthermore, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth until you are able
to wash your hands.
Making Phone Calls
Do not remove your mask to make a phone call, and don’t
touch your phone to the mask. You risk cross-contamination in doing so – either
the germs get onto your phone from the mask, or the germs from your phone get
onto your mask (and into your lungs). Wait to make your phone calls until you
are in a safe place where you are ready and able to remove your mask.
With proper use of face masks, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe!
