Face masks had been around before the pandemic swept the globe and they will certainly be around long after covid stops being a concern.
Masks come with a plethora of benefits that include more than just protection from coronavirus. The air in the atmosphere is rife with lethal particulate matter that is the primary cause of several respiratory, cardiovascular, and carcinogenic health conditions. A routine mask-wearing ritual is a small step that could help individuals achieve health milestones throughout their lives.
Aside from harmful pollutants, bacteria virus aerosols (including the flu virus), and allergens (like pollen and mold) continue to linger in the air. The right mask usage can help eliminate a majority of infections and allergens from reaching the airways and causing life-threatening illnesses.
While face masks are nothing short of a powerful tool that ensures immediate protection from pollutants, they are effective only when used in the right manner.
The Correct Method of Wearing A Face Mask
Mask wearing can quickly become an everyday habit. For this reason, knowing the right methods of wearing and using a mask is critical.
1. Clean your hands. To avoid germs of any kind from getting in the way, it’s best to wash or sanitize your hands.
2. Use the ear strigs to hold the mask. The same applies while taking off your mask. Since the cloth part of the mask is the part that comes in direct contact with pollutants, allergens, and viruses, it’s best to access the mass using the ear strings.
3. Conceal your nose, mouth, and chin within the mask. Covering only a part of your face – for instance, covering the mouth but leaving out the nose – can defeat the purpose of using the mask. The nose is the primary source of pollutant entry inside the body whereas the mouth lets infected droplets out in the air. Covering both the nose and the mouth is critical to both protect and stay protected.
4. Make sure there are no gaps. This is mostly concerned with the fitting. If a mask leaves gaps between your skin and the mask layer, pollutants and viruses can easily leak inside, penetrating your lungs and bloodstream.
5. Repeat steps 1 and 2 when taking your mask off. Not removing your mask properly can undo all the precautions you took in the first place.
6. Fold the outside corners of the mask together. This prevents the particles on your mask from seeping into your surroundings.
Mask Cleaning and Storage
When carrying a mask around, it’s important to carry a paper or plastic bag to store it in. If you’re taking off the mask on the go, be sure to fold the outside corners of the mask together to prevent germs or pollutants from spreading.
If you’re removing the face mask at home, it’s always best to put it in the washing machine right away. It’s perfectly safe to wash your cloth mask along with the rest of the laundry load. Cleaning reusable masks timely and routinely is critical for overall mask maintenance.
When buying a mask for routine use, it’s always best to rely on high-quality and efficient masks that can perform the promised job of keeping you protected. High-filtration masks that don’t compromise on the quality, fit, comfort, and aesthetics, can be a great option to stay protected despite the high concentration of particulate matter, harmful aerosols, and other pollutants.
