Common mistakes when wearing a mask

As lockdown levels have been eased and more and more people are going back to work and school, wearing a mask has become a part of our daily lives and critical as one of the ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

To stay safe, avoid going out unnecessarily and try to keep a distance of at least 2m between yourself and others. Photo: Pixabay. For illustrative purposes.

People are venturing back out to work, school and the shops. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging, it is more important than ever to take precautions against spreading infection.

Wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing your hands regularly with soap and water is the new norm.Dr Susan Louw, a pathologist at the National Health Laboratory Service and spokesperson for Dettol noted, however, that there’s a very clear link between poor hygiene and communicable diseases – disease processes such as typhoid, gastro-enteritis and the common flu, let alone Covid-19.

So, if we can improve hygiene and hygiene routines in a community, we will definitely be able to impact on all communicable diseases. She added when it comes to wearing a mask, there are several common mistakes that many people make, which can undermine the whole point of wearing a mask.

As lockdown levels have been eased and more and more people are going back to work and school, wearing a mask has become a part of our daily lives and critical as one of the ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Photo: Pixabay. For illustrative purposes.

Here are several tips to ensure that you get maximum protection:

Get the fit right. The mask should sit on the bridge of your nose (not balanced on the tip). It should cover your nose, mouth and extend over your chin. The mask should fit snugly, without billowing out at the sides or leaving obvious gaps. Don’t leave your nose sticking out, as you will still be able to inhale (and exhale) infectious droplets.
Wash your hands before putting your mask on, and again before taking it off. Use soap and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. This prevents your hands from contaminating your mask, and vice-versa.
Don’t touch your mask while wearing it. When removing it, use the loops to take it off, rather than touching the fabric or the front of the mask.
Don’t pull your mask down to rest on your chin or around your neck (or up onto your forehead). You’re obviously not protected while it is in this position, and it may become contaminated.
Wash your mask frequently with hot water and detergent and allow it to dry completely. Don’t wear it when wet. Also, don’t wear the same mask for long periods or repeat occasions without washing it thoroughly in between, and always store it in a clean, dry place.
Finally, remember that while wearing a mask correctly can help to prevent the spread of coronavirus, it’s not a failsafe. It is still possible to become infected.

To stay safe, avoid going out unnecessarily and try to keep a distance of at least 2m between yourself and others. And remember to get in the habit of washing your hands with soap regularly and well, as this is an important way to prevent the spread of disease.