How you mask up is very important: There must be a tight seal of your mask. If you are in a noninfectious area, you can use a triple layer mask but if you are in a potentially high-risk situation, you must use an N95 mask. In an N95 mask also, you must see that that the fit is good.
When you wear a mask, you must wear it well, wearing the mask around the neck will only allow the virus to come on settle on it in case someone around is infected. By doing this we create a basket for the virus to settle and then by strapping it around the nose, we take it to our noses. So, it’s important that when you wear a mask, you need to wear it well or else by wearing it wrongly, you could do more damage than by not wearing one.
Wearing a mask decreases the rate of transmission to below 10%; when u wear an N95 it decreases by 95 %, i.e. to below 5%.
- When you have a mask on, to make you more compliant if it is possible you should go to the end of the room near the window, take off your mask, take some deep breaths of fresh air, put the mask back, and return to your work. This is important because you are re-breathing the same air.
- Ideally, it is recommended not to touch your mask when you are in the work environment and not to eat anything. If you do need to have tea breaks at work, you can take turns in taking off the mask and sipping the tea.
- A good way of telling a person would be to say “Your mask has slipped off rather than saying “please wear your mask properly. It should sound as though you are caring for that person about getting the infection.
How to know whether the fit is good?
- When you take a breath in, the mask collapses on your face and that’s when you would be sure that there is no leak.
- If your glasses frost, that means it’s a good fit. But then, there are ways on how to prevent frosting by putting glasses over the mask.
- If the mask is below the nose when talking, that means it is not a good fit.
When you remove your mask, it is important that you only hold it by the ear hooks and you shut it and do not keep it open. Never hang up a used mask.
Wearing a wet mask in rains renders it ineffective as the water tends to clog the pores, this can result in the mask slipping off from its position. Wearing a face shield over your mask would protect it from getting wet.
Masks with head straps are usually preferred. If slightly uncomfortable, that means the fit is good. But once you get used to it, masks with ear straps are also good. If the ears pain at the end of the day that indicates the fit is good. Nowadays, you get clips to hold the ends away from your ear and this eases ear pain.
Double masking:
Different ways to wear
- Though CDC recommends wearing a disposable mask and a cloth one over it to allow a snug fit, some people with sensitive skin or contact dermatitis wear a cloth one on the inside.
- Single mask if you are wearing an N95.
Other benefits of masking:
- Due to the constant use of masks, there has been a drastic decrease in allergic conditions
Disposing masks:
- Disinfect and throw it out as dry waste in the YELLOW BAG.
- Some residential societies have set up facilities for incineration.
- If no such facilities are available, then the masks to be washed with soap water
On reusing masks:
Triple-layer masks can be washed and reused
N95 masks cannot be washed but may be sterilized in a hot air oven at 70degress for 40 minutes
