7 things you should never do with your face mask
They may seem harmless, but these facial mask errors could endanger you.
There is no better visual indicator that we live in a "normal" than the proliferation of facial masks. No more the mark of a hypochondriaque, a facial mask is now a good citizenship badge. It's becauseWear One helps you protect yourself and others by limiting the spread of droplet diseases like COVID-19. This is particularly important now that we know that it can be spread by pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers. But if you use a face mask incorrectly (and most people do it), it is made almost useless. With the help of experts, we compiled a list of easy-to-do mask errors. Looking for more ways to protect yourself? Check these7 precautions that you must take before wearing a mask.
1 Put your mask with unwashed hands.
There is a reason why your doctor washes his hand now, they enter the examination room, it's the first line of defense to keep you and protect the other viruses.Wendy McCulloch, a clinical nursing officerOptimum medical, says that people often forget this step, especially if they apply their mask after leaving home. She says, "If you are out of the house, use a disinfectant of the hands before putting your mask. And when you come home, wash your hands right away, even if you wear gloves outside. " In this way, there is less risk of cross-contamination. For more information on a correct hand washing technique, seeThe mask error # 1 you probably do.
2 Touch the front of your mask when you delete it.
Once you wear a mask outside, you must assume that this is contaminated, even if you have only picked up the delivery of the border. For this reason, you should never touch the front of the mask itself when turning it off. "Do not grab the mask with a complete palm plug and fingers through the face," warnsCara Natterson, MD, founder ofProof of concern Consulting and author ofDecoding boys. "Instead, use your thumb and your index to keep the mask away from your face and on the head." This Council echoes the recommendation of the World Health Organization to remove your mask fromRemoval of elastics or straps from behind your ears.
3 Share your mask with other people.
Sharing a mask with someone else, even someone who is in your "forty pod", like your spouse or roommate - can be dangerous.CARA PENSABENE, MD, medical directorEHE Health says: "The masks must always be worn by one person, then thrown if they are disposable or washed properly. If you share masks, you could pass the virus to the other person." Consider buying fabric masks in fun models so that each family member knows which mask is the one whose mask is. And for more tips to transmit to your family, checkThe only thing you need to tell your children to do in the middle of coronavirus.
4 Adjust your mask throughout the day.
We get masks, the masks are uncomfortable! But once you have properly put your mask, leave it where it is. Do not adjust it. Pensabene says, "Do not pull the mask away from your face to talk or just for a moment to breathe more easily .... If you harm your eyes, the nose or mouth while adjusting your mask, It increases your risk of possible viral exhibition. "And if you want to stay safe out there, make sure you know that you knowThe only type of mask you should never wear.
5 Store your mask in your pocket.
Conscious ofwhere you store your maskAs it could accommodate Covid-19 in its fibers - contaminant whatever the surface it is placed. Pensabene explains: "If you store the mask in any way it allows him to get in touch with your personal belongings (as in your pocket), you will allow the virus to travel from person to person." The CDC says you need to store the mask in a plastic bag for maximum protection. And definitely, do not place the mask on a unclean surface, as in a grocery carriage!
6 Spray your mask with disinfectant.
Since masks are a limited goods, it seems logical simplyDisinfect and reuse them. However, Pensabene warns people against the use of disinfectants to clean masks. She says, "The reports indicate thatSpray masks with disinfectants Can create a secondary problem, called urticaria contact, which occurs when disinfectants are inhaled "and can cause swelling of the skin and redness. More, once your mask is wet, it is rendered useless.
7 Leaving your mask at home when you come out outside.
In the end, the biggest mask error does not wear one. Think of the mask wearing another healthy habit you want to form. For example, if you were trying to exercise more regularly, you may leave your running shoes by the front door as a visual reminder. The same goes for your mask.
Natterson explains: "We are more likely to repeat behavior if [we] build it in [our] routine. So leave a mask on an input table or hook suspended by the front door." And if you want to reduce your risk of getting sick, make sure you know these7 Surfaces of the house most likely to be contaminated by coronavirus.
