How to wear a medical mask correctly

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

There is a pandemic in the world. It's time to defend yourself.

According to TASS, the new coronavirus can remain in the air for up to 30 minutes. Masks, on the other hand, greatly reduce the risk of catching an infection and infecting others.

When exactly should you wear a medical mask?

Experts from the World Health Organization recommend when and how to use masks to wear a mask in two cases:

• If you are healthy, but have close contact with a person who has signs of a respiratory infection: cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat …
• If you yourself have these symptoms.

The Medical Division of the Hong Kong Government Portal rounds out this list. Facemasks insist that a face must be protected with a mask if:

• You were in close (at a distance of up to 2 meters) contact with people who at that time had or soon developed signs of SARS. In such a case, you must wear a mask for at least 10 days after this contact.
• You visit or work in hospitals or clinics.
• You have to spend time in crowded and poorly ventilated places: subway, crowded office, supermarket, small classroom.
• Your job is related to food or passenger service in public transport.

Which of the options to choose - from WHO or from the Chinese, decide for yourself, depending on the current situation.

Why is it better to wear disposable masks

Disposable masks are used for several hours, and then they must be thrown away. You cannot take off and then put on again such a mask. Otherwise, you risk spreading the infection to your face and surrounding objects with your hands.

Reusable masks are made of thick washable fabric, which manufacturers recommend washing in hot water according to the instructions. These models look more profitable, because you do not need to stock up on a whole stack of accessories - one is enough. But in practice, reusable masks are a bad option.

William Schaffner Professor of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, USA

They cannot always be cleaned properly and is this really a problem Do You Need a Mask to Prevent Coronavirus? …

A 2015 study showed A cluster randomized trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers that healthcare workers who prefer reusable masks are more likely to suffer from ARVI than their counterparts who use disposable options. The reason is precisely the complexity of cleaning.

Let us separately mention such a fruit of progress as respirators. They are also disposable and reusable and are generally more reliable (albeit expensive) protection than conventional medical masks. But American consumer advocacy nonprofit Consumer Reports warns Do You Need a Mask to Prevent Coronavirus?: The respirator is difficult to put on so as to avoid leaks. For example, U. S. healthcare professionals are required to take an annual Summary of Respirator Fit Test Requirements to prove they can properly use the device.

Therefore, we will focus on disposable medical masks that everyone can handle.

What to do before putting on a medical mask

1. Wash your hands thoroughly

WHO reminds When and how to use masks: a mask will only be effective if you combine its use with thorough hand washing. Here's how to proceed:

• wet your hands with warm water;
• apply soap to your palms;
• rub the brushes thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds;
• rinse your hands with water to remove any soap residue;
• dry with a paper towel;
• then close the tap with the same towel so as not to touch it with clean hands;
• throw the towel into the trash can.

If there is no soap or water nearby, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or thoroughly wipe your palms and fingers with alcohol wipes.

2. Check the mask for defects

After removing the mask from the package, make sure How to Put on and Remove a Face Mask that there are no holes or other damage on it.

3. Determine where is the top and where the bottom

The upper part of the mask has a rigid, easily bendable edge. It is needed so that the mask repeats the shape of your nose as closely as possible.

4. Try to determine where is the inside and where is the outside

Manufacturers who care about user friendliness make masks in two colors. The interior with this design is usually white. And the outer one can be light gray, blue, greenish …

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If the mask does not have a white side or the colors of the surfaces do not differ, the task becomes more difficult. In this case, you can try to determine by indirect signs.

For example, in some cases the outer side is slightly denser and stiffer (its task is to repel Use Mask Properly liquid droplets). The lining is softer to reduce the risk of skin irritation and to absorb droplets of your saliva.

Sometimes it is possible to determine the sides by the logo printed on the surface of the mask. When you put on the mask, it should be readable from the outside, not have inverted letters.

However, according to How do we wear those face / surgical masks? Is it the one with the blue side facing your mouth, or should it be placed the opposite way? individual experts, if you put on the mask "on the wrong" side, nothing bad will happen. So don't worry too much.

How to properly wear a medical mask

1. With clean hands, bring the mask to your face (with the inner side, if it was possible to identify it)

It should cover the chin with the lower edge, and the nostrils and the tip of the nose with the upper edge. The nostrils must be closed by all means!

2. Fasten the mask on your face

How exactly depends on the type of accessory.

• Mask with ear loops. Simply slide each loop over your ear.
• Mask with elastic loops. Put on the mask so that the lower loop is at the back of your head or neck, and the upper loop is at the crown of your head.
• Mask with ties. Some masks come with top and bottom fabric strips. Pull up the mask by the top ties and secure them with a bow just below the crown of the head. Leave the lower ones free for now: they will need to be tied at the back of the head, but only after the next step.

3. Adjust the nose

Shape your nose with your thumb and forefinger

4. Spread the mask on your face

It should completely cover the chin and the lower part of the nose. Use your fingers to press the mask firmly against your face and make sure there are no gaps between it and your skin.

For clarity, WHO has presented a short video on how to properly wear a mask with ear loops (other models are worn in the same way). Here it is:

How long can a disposable mask be worn

There are only two Facemasks rules:

• Never wear the same mask for more than a day.
• Replace it immediately if it is damaged or dirty (you actively touched it with unwashed hands, were in it in a close, crowded room).

Try not to touch the mask while it is on your face. If you have to do this, be sure to wash your hands before and after touching.

How to remove the mask correctly and what to do with it after

It is also important to free the face from the mask according to a certain algorithm.

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Avoid touching the front of the mask: it is likely to have viruses or bacteria on it.
• When removing the mask, hold only its loops or ties.
• Place the used mask in a plastic bag, tie it up and throw it in the trash can. Hospitals usually have special waste bins for the disposal of biohazardous items such as used masks and gloves.
• Wash your hands again with warm water and soap or use a hand sanitizer.

Coronavirus. Number of infected:

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