Common, Face Mask Mistakes, and How to Fix Them.
According to a 2020 study by Signs.com, people are making
the same mistakes when wearing their face masks.
Here are six common mask mistakes and
advice from experts on how to fix them. .
1. You aren’t washing your
hands before and after putting on
and taking off your mask.
Washing hands prior to putting a mask on
avoids any contaminants to get on the mask.
When removing a mask, and putting it in the
laundry after one use, it is important to wash
hands to assure that no contaminants or
infections are transferred to the hands, Rashid Chotani, Epidemiologist, via Huffpost.
2. You’re reusing a
disposable mask. .
Disposable masks should be worn for a
single day, and then tossed, as they quickly
break down the ability to filter particles,
carry microorganisms and become soiled, Jagdish Khubchandani, Public Health Professor
at New Mexico State University, via Huffpost.
3. You’re washing
your disposable mask.
Disposable masks are intended for
single use … Once they get wet, or have
moisture, their effectiveness to protect
you is diminished. The fibers break down and
will not be able to protect you as much, Teresa Bartlett, Sedgwick Senior Medical Adviser, via Huffpost.
4. You aren’t washing
your reusable mask.
Washing will ensure that the mask remains
hygienic and functional in preventing us from
spreading our fluids … not washing reusable
masks will diminish their functionality, Gan Eng Cern, Physician and ENT Surgeon, via Huffpost.
5. You aren’t covering
your nose and mouth
with your mask.
A lot of people will wear their masks
pulled down, exposing either their nose,
or their entire face … This completely takes
away the benefits of wearing a mask, Dr. Mark Fischer, via Huffpost.
6. You’re not storing
your mask correctly.
Have a safe spot that’s far from other
people in your home, and be deliberate
with how you put a mask on ― wash your
hands or sanitize, only touch the straps.
The same goes for removing your mask, Chris Xu, Immunologist, via Huffpost