COVID-19 Pandemic and How Best To Use Facemasks

COVID-19 Pandemic And How Best To Use Face Masks

A stitch in time saves nine: Prevention is better than cure-

We don't need mass production of facemasks and desperate opportunists taking advantage of the critical situation of COVID-19 pandemic by making brisk business in the emergency. Corrupt practices are already going on with the production of face masks in Nigeria as some state governors are ordering compulsory use of facemasks without public awareness on the best hygienic and safe guidelines for wearing facemasks.

Here is How To Properly Wear A Face Mask, According To A Doctor

“The face coverings do not have to be hospital-grade but need to cover the nose and mouth,” a representative from L.A.’s Riverside County said. “For example, bandannas, fabric masks, and neck gaiters are acceptable. Fabric covers and bandannas can be washed and used again.”

We asked an ER doctor to walk us through how to wear a face mask or other type of covering. He gave us a five-point plan.

1. Wash your hands:
First thing's first: Your hands need to be squeaky clean before you put on the mask, so wash and sanitise, says Darien Sutton, MD, an emergency physician at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. "This decreases the risk of contaminating yourself when you put a mask on." Along the same lines: Never touch the inside of your face covering as you're putting it on. That could get bacteria on the very area you're trying to keep clean. It's basically like biting your nails.

2. Cover from nose to chin:
People often focus on covering their mouth. But you want to make sure your nose is tucked securely under the mask, and the material fits tightly under the chin too, Dr. Sutton says. Once it's on, take a few deep breaths in and out. You should be able to breathe through the material, but you shouldn't be able to detect any major air leaks. If, as you breathe in, you can tell that you're getting a ton of air through the bottom of your mask, tie it a little tighter in that area.

3. Remove it correctly:
Taking off your mask is the trickiest part, explains Dr. Sutton. The most common mistake people make is peeling the mask off from the front. That's an easy way to contaminate yourself; you're basically just touching your face, the number one thing you're not supposed to do during this pandemic.

Read more on
https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2020/04/9655309/how-to-wear-face-mask.

Pictures of facemasks from Pinterest.