Common mistakes people make when wearing masks

2020 has seen masks become an essential clothing item. Whether people agree with the effectiveness of wearing masks or not, when you are outside of your home, you do not have a choice.

With lockdown regulations easing and more people returning to their daily routines, sanitary measures are of the utmost importance. At the end of May, the West Rand was confirmed to be a coronavirus hot spot, and the number of infections throughout Gauteng is increasing rapidly.

While most residents seem to be abiding by the regulation of wearing a mask outside of their homes, a few people are wearing their masks in an ineffective way. Yes, there is a wrong way to wear your mask.

Reckitt Benckiser is a consumer goods company supplying health, hygiene and home products such as Dettol, Harpic, and many more. Noticing various common mistakes people have been making while wearing their masks, the company has provided a list of five easy ways to make sure your mask is as effective as possible.

• Make sure you have the right fit – the mask should sit on the bridge of your nose, not be balancing on the tip. It should cover your nose, mouth and extend over your chin. Make sure your mask fits snuggly, not leaving any obvious gaps on the side. Leaving your nose sticking out of your mask is just as bad as not wearing one because you can still inhale (and exhale) infectious droplets.
• Make sure you wash your hands before putting on your mask and again before taking it off. Use soap and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds for maximum effectiveness. By doing this, you prevent your hands from contaminating your mask.
• Don’t touch your mask while wearing it. When you remove your mask, use the loops to take it off rather than touching the fabric in front of the mask.
• One of the most common mistakes people make is pulling their masks down and letting them rest around their neck or chin; this is a no-no. You are not protected when it is in this position, and it may become contaminated.
• Wash your mask frequently with hot water and detergent, and allow it to dry. Do not wear it while it is still wet or damp. Don’t wear the same mask for long periods or repeatedly without washing it thoroughly in between uses.

Remember, while wearing a mask can help minimise the spread of Covid-19, it is not a fail-safe. To stay safe, you still need to practice social distancing, avoid going out unnecessarily and practice proper hygiene. Masks may be a thorn in your side, and the sanitizer may be making your hands dry, but every precautionary measure helps flatten the infection curve.