Why wearing masks are important, how to properly wear them and how to protect yourself

WHO and CDC both say that Mask wearing in public is very important to help slow the spread of COVID-19. WHO says that the masks N95, FFP2, or equivalent are recommended for people caring for others from covid19. The CDC Recommends that children under the age of two and people who have respiratory issues do not wear masks. Wearing masks slow the spread of covid because it can travel in the air through water droplets and land in your mouth, nose, and eyes but the mask can protect you a bit more than without. But caregivers should also do healthy habits such as wash your hands often and do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and frequently wash and disinfect surfaces.

CDC does not recommend the everyday use of face shields or as a replacement for masks. If the face shield is used without a mask the shield should be worn around the wearers face and extended below the chin. Reusable face shields should be cleaned and dienfected after each use. Plastic face shields are NOT recommended for newborns and infants.

WHO say this about how to properly wear a mask.

1. Before touching your mask wash your hands this is for not infecting the mask.

2.pick up the mask and look for tears or holes.

3.make sure you put the mask on right side up.

4.make sure the front side of the mask faces outward.

5.place the mask in your face and pinch the metal strip (Only in certain types of masks).

6.pull the mask so it covers your mouth and chin.

7.do not touch the mask when wearing it.

8.after use take the mask off with clean hands and keep the mask away from clothes and dont touch any possibly contaminated surfaces.

9.discard the mask (unless its a reusable mask) in a closed bin.

10.preform hand hygiene after touching or discarding the mask.

Be aware that there is a shortage of surgical and n95 masks worldwide.

Covid-19 can be easily killed with disenfected but it cant last on surfaces forever. The virus can last up to 72 hours o plastic and stainless steel, less than four hours on copper, in aerosols for up to 3 hours, and less than 24 hours on cardboard. But some of these will vary in real world conditions such as in rainy or hot environments.

(All of this infomation came from the CDC and WHO).