Wearing a FACE MASK may not keep you from getting the Coronavirus but the wearing of masks by ALL individuals can give some degree of barrier protection from respiratory droplets that are coughed or sneezed around them.
Homemade cotton masks may help protect others from you.
Using a cotton face covering when you’re around others can help block large particles that you might expel through a cough, sneeze or unintentionally launched saliva (for example – through speaking or sneezing), which could slow the spread of transmission to others if you don’t know you’re sick.
These types of masks are not intended to protect the wearer, but to protect against the unintended transmission — in case you are an asymptomatic carrier of the coronavirus.
The most important thing when wearing a cotton mask is to make sure it covers your entire nose and mouth, which means that the facemask should fit underneath your chin. The covering will be less effective if you remove it from your face when you speak to someone. For example, it’s better to adjust your covering before you leave your car, rather than while waiting in line at the supermarket.
Homemade cotton masks are machine-washable and dryable. These masks have a filter pocket for those of you who wish to add another layer of protection. There is also a Nose wire to make the mask fit well around your nose. Be aware that there isn’t strong scientific evidence that the masks will conform to the face tightly enough to form a seal, or that the filter material inside will work effectively. That’s why it’s very important to wash your hands and distance yourself from others.
– face coverings may help prevent people from passing the disease on to others but they don’t necessarily protect the wearer from getting sick.
– wearing a mask in public would be to prevent you from spreading droplets to other people.
– it is important that wearers try to maintain appropriate distances between themselves and others when in public spaces.
*some people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms, and others can transmit the coronavirus even before their symptoms start to show up.
In an area where there are many people here are the most common mistakes people make while they are wearing a cotton face mask . . .
#1: Wash your hands before putting on your mask and wash them again after taking it off.
This is by far one of the most important things to keep in mind.
Wash your hands for 20 seconds before you put on the mask and again after you take it off.
Wash them again when you arrive home after you take off the cotton mask and put it in the laundry.
#2: You must cover both your nose and mouth with the mask.
When you put on the mask, make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits comfortably around your face.
You should make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
When you put on the mask correctly it should:
• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
#3: You should not be touching your mask to readjust it or do not touch the front when you’re taking it off.
If you do have to touch your mask to adjust it while you’re wearing it outside, make sure you clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. If your mask becomes damp (which it likely will), replace it if possible.
You should be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing the mask. Remove it from behind (do not touch the front of the mask).
The reasoning for this is . . . if there are virus particles trapped on the outside of the mask, they will get on your hands when you touch it (another reason to make sure you’re washing your hands after you dispose of your mask).