Wearing a mask alone is never enough to protect a person from getting infected or spreading COVID-19
However, it complements measures such as hand hygiene and physical distancing which are critical in preventing the virus transmission
According to health authorities, medical masks like surgical masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for health-care workers
WHO believes that the use of medical masks in the community may create a false sense of security, with a neglect of other essential measures like hygiene practices and physical distancing
The Health Ministry of India had initially recommended that apart from health-care providers, only persons with symptoms and caregivers of people with suspected symptoms or confirmed COVID-19 needed to wear masks
But it recently made wearing masks mandatory
Patients have been asked to wear a medical mask by changing it at least once a day
Caregivers of patients should wear a mask when in the same room as the affected person is
Experts say that staying at home is the best thing to do now. But if you have to step out, there is nothing wrong in wearing masks
A major reason for recommending masks is that one can never know if a person has symptoms
Therefore, at least home-made cloth masks are recommended
Though there is no scientific evidence, it may probably help in both stopping transmission from infected persons as well as to protect ourselves to a certain extent
So what are the Dos and don’ts for wearing masks?
*Always wash your hands before wearing a mask
*Avoid touching the mask while using it
*Once you wear a mask, do not adjust. If you do so, wash your hands
*If the mask is soiled or wet, do not reuse it
*Generally, on an average, a mask can be worn for up to three to four hours
*While wearing a mask… unfold the pleats of the masks and ensure that they are facing down
*Place the mask over the nose, mouth and chin, and ensure there are no gaps on either side of the mask
*Remove it only using the strings
*After removing the mask, clean your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub
*Never reuse disposable masks
*Cloth covers or masks should be washed after every use
*Every member in a family should have a separate mask.
