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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MAY 22-MAY 28, 2020 13
��ace masks have become
essential accessories in
the effort to prevent the
spread of COVID-19. They’re
especially important in stopping
the spread of the coronavirus
because people can
carry and spread the virus
even when they are not exhibiting
symptoms. But for a mask
to be effective, it has to be used
correctly. Here are some helpful
hints about wearing a face
mask, from how to put it on
properly to how to clean it.
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A cloth face mask provides
a physical barrier that helps
reduce spread of the virus
via droplets from your mouth
and nose but allows breathing
through the fabric. Surgical
masks can be used as well, if
available, although the CDC is
currently asking people to save
them for healthcare workers.
The N95 respirator should be
reserved for healthcare workers
because they have close
contact treating patients
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A face mask must cover
your mouth and nose, and it
must fit snugly but comfortably
on the face. Most masks
either have loops or straps
that go behind the back of the
head or around the ears for
a snug fit. Many commercial
masks come in different sizes,
and you should pick the one
that fits you best.
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Have clean hands when
you put on your mask. When
you return home, wash your
hands before removing your
mask and take if off from the
back, handling it by the ear
loops or straps. Make sure to
put the mask in a dedicated
safe place, such as a bag, until
you wash it, and then disinfect
your hands again. If there are
several members in the household,
make sure only you handle
your own mask.
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Be sure to put on your
mask properly, making sure it
fits snugly, especially around
your nose, and securing it
around the back of your head
or behind your ears. If you inadvertently
touch your mask,
clean your hands immediately
afterward. Having a
small bottle of hand sanitizer
in your pocket is very helpful
— in case you absolutely do
have to touch your mask.
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Wearing a face mask does
not replace other safeguards
— but just adds to them. Social
distancing remains one of
the most important actions to
protect yourself from getting
COVID-19. A face mask is not
a “free pass” to abandon social
distancing or drop other
protective measures.
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Wash your cloth mask frequently,
ideally every day
you wear it. Masks should be
washed and dried at a high temperature.
Using bleach to decontaminate
them can also be
useful. Before washing them,
masks should be stored inside
a zip-close plastic bag and
not mixed together with your
other laundry or with your
clean masks. It’s advisable to
have at least five masks so you
can wash them properly between
uses. Also, be sure not to
share masks with other household
members. Medical masks
are disposable and designed to
be discarded after use.
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A lot of people struggle with
their glasses getting fogged up
when they wear masks. The
best prevention is to have a
snug fit of the mask on the
bridge of the nose. This way,
no air will escape through that
route and cause fogging that
could impair your vision.
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Babies and toddlers under
the age of 2 should not wear face
masks, but children should.
Fortunately, young children
are at a very low risk of getting
seriously ill from COVID-19.
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For people who are not
showing symptoms, generally
there is no reason to wear a
mask in the home. However,
if a household member exhibits
the classic symptoms
of COVID, the affected person
should self-isolate within
the home. When interacting
with other household members,
masks should be worn
by both the affected and unaffected
household members.
Remember, if you have typical
symptoms of the disease,
you must self-quarantine at
home, and you must not go out
in public at all.
To read more about how to
stay healthy amid the outbreak,
please visit: NewYork-Presbyterian’s
Health Matters blog at
https://healthmatters.nyp.org
To see a doctor without leaving
home. download Virtual Urgent
Care from NewYork-Presbyterian,
you can connect with
board-certified emergency medicine
physicians 7 days a week.
Doownload the app today:
nyp.org/urgentcare
!
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