Wearing a mask can only help with other habitual preventative measures, such as washing hands thoroughly, disinfecting hands, keeping distance with other people, staying at home when ill, etc.
No matter what kind of mask you are wearing, be it a single use mask purchased at the chemist’s or a self-sewn cloth mask, it must be worn correctly. The mask must cover the nose and mouth properly and the sides must be as well tightened as possible.
1) Wash your hands
Prior to putting the mask on, wash your hands thoroughly
with soap and warm water, and disinfect them if possible.
2) Put it on
Put the mask on your face so that it covers the nose, mouth, and
the jaw, and the upper edge of the mask is almost level with the eyes.
3) Observe your breathing
It must be comfortable to breathe through the mask.
4) Stop tweaking
When the mask is on nice and tight, stop touching and constantly adjusting it while using it.
5) Just wear it
Wear the mask for 2 to 4 hours or until you feel that it is moist.
The mask must be replaced if you have pulled it down on your chin, adjusted
it manually or touched it.
6) Be careful
Do not touch the inner or the outer surface of the mask when you
take it off. Remove the mask from your face by holding it from the (rubber)
band.
7) Wash your hands again
After using the mask, wash your hands again
thoroughly with soap and warm water, and disinfect them if possible.
8) Throw it away or clean it
Having used the mask, do not leave it lying around.
Throw it away or clean it as required.
One person can go through 3 to 5 masks per day on average. The amount of masks depends on how much time the person spends in crowded places (workplace, shop, chemist’s shop, public transport, etc.) That’s why it makes sense to obtain about a dozen masks and maintain them every day or two.
There is normally no need to wear a mask at home or outside. Outside, it suffices to observe the two-metre distance requirement. The mask should be worn in crowded communal spaces (shops, chemist’s shops, medical establishments, public transport).