How To Wear a Mask Properly

COVID-19 Update: A Dentist’s perspective on how to wear a mask properly.

There are couple of basic things wrong with the image relating to how the mask is positioned on this pretend face / ceramic sculpture.

By the end of reading this article, you will learn how to put on a mask properly, what not to do when you’re wearing a mask, and how to take a mask off properly to avoid unwittingly transferring germs & viruses to yourself or others.

Some Background Information on Wearing a Mask during COVID-19

The issue of whether or not to wear a mask in public is currently made more complex because of the worldwide shortage of surgical masks and N-95 respirators. Ideally, if there were enough mask to go around for everyone, then it would be a good thing for even the general public to wear masks when out and about and around family members who are sick.

Wearing a mask will probably be something that we are recommended to do after the ‘social distancing’ and ‘stay at home’ message is relaxed and the community as a whole starts getting back to work and school, etc.

There is evidence that if masks that are worn consistently and well, in conjunction with measures such as good hygiene, it does make a positive difference in preventing that spread of viruses.

In the US, because of the increased rate of community spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended for the general public to wear cloth face coverings in public settings in an effort to reduce viral exposure and the risk infection when people are out and about. Since this recommendation, there has been a lot of discussion on the news and social media about how to best make homemade masks. This discussion has now also started in Australia.

We must remember, masks and face coverings are not perfect and only offer limited protection – both to the person wearing the mask and those around them. Just because someone wears a mask, does not provide them with an imaginary protecting force field around them. At the moment, we must continue with all the other measures that the Australian Government have recommended: Social Distancing (1.5m or more); Good Hygiene (hand washing and cough etiquette); Limit on Public Gatherings and Staying at Home when possible; and Self-Isolation.

For health care workers and emergency response workers who are at higher risk of being in contact with COVID-19 patients, wearing a surgical mask or N-95 respirator is a must. Of course, they will also be wearing other items of personal protective equipment such good eye protection, disposable gowns / head covers, and gloves.

Not all masks are equal

There are three main types of masks that we’ve been hearing about in the media lately.
1. P2 / N-95 respirator masks (the best);
2. Surgical Masks;
3. Homemade Masks / Cloth Face Covers.

Of the surgical masks and homemade masks varieties, there are a range of types and qualities, that determine their level of protection. Here’s an article about a business that has taken it upon themselves to determine how they can make better homemade faces masks.

How to wear a mask properly

When the time comes in Australia to wear masks / homemade face coverings, it’s important that we are ready and know how to wear them properly.

As Dentists, we and our staff are well-trained and familiar with the how to wear masks – after all we wear them everyday when we work.
So we have compiled some important mask wearing tips, that we put into practice on a day to day basis at Grange Road Dental Group.

How to put a mask on

DO NOT do this when wearing a mask

• Do not touch the front of the mask at any stage.
  It could have viral particles or other germs on the surface of the mask and you don’t want to transfer them to your eyes or other surfaces.
  This includes, do not adjust your mask without washing your hands before and after;
  do not fidget with and/or scratch your face (keep your hands below your shoulders);
  and also do not talk with your mobile against your face / mask. (Put it on loud speaker and wipe it over with a detergent wipe later just to be sure).
  
• Do not pull the mask under your chin and rest in on your neck.
  This included pulling your mask down, having a drink or bite to eat and then putting the mask back on.

How to remove a mask

• Don’t touch the front of the mask. Only use the ties or loops to pull it off.
  
• Undo the bottom tie / loop of the mask first, lean forward and then undo the top tie / loop of the mask next.
  
• Carefully take the mask from your face, still only touching the ties / loops.
  
• Throw the mask immediately in the rubbish, or in the case of a washable cloth mask, place it immediately in the wash.
  
• Clean your hands straight away before touching anything else.

Other important points about wearing a mask

• For men who have a beard or even stubble, this provides an entry point for air leaks under a mask thus, making it easier for aerosol particles to enter at this point.
  
  The saying goes something like this, “remove the stubble, to protect the bubble”. In other words, the beard and stubble has to go for a mask to be most effective.
  (Additional bonus points if you picked this up from the image of the ceramic sculpture above).
  
• If you’re living in an apartment or hotel, then put the mask on and remove it inside your place. Stairs and Lifts can be contaminated spaces.
  
• Face coverings should not be used for young children under 2 years of age, or for anyone who has trouble breathing and who are otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.

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Unless you’re familiar with wearing a mask, many of the steps listed above may not come naturally at first. It will take practice and constant awareness to get good at it.

We do believe that it is worth learning how to wear a mask correctly, so that you are ready for when the time comes to wear a mask yourself.

Important take home messages about wearing a mask

Of most importance, do not have a false sense of security when wearing a mask. Masks are not perfect and only offer limited protection, but when worn properly they do help to reduce viral exposure and prevent risk of infection. This also depends on the type of mask you are wearing.

Masks help, when used in combination with these other very important measure which the Australian State and Federal Government Health Authorities have been recommending:

• Good hand washing, regularly.
  
• Social Distancing. At least 1.5 – 2m. The more the better. (Droplets and aerosolised particles from a sneeze can travel up to 8m.)
  
• Staying at Home (unless for essential purposes), and Self-Isolation if if you are sick.
  
• Cough etiquette. Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Immediately throw the tissue in the bin and wash your hands well.
  
• Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth. And avoid shaking hands and touching public surfaces without being aware. If so, wash your hands immediately afterwards.
  
• Limits on public gatherings.

This is general advice only, based on our experience and education as Dentists in learning how to best wear a mask. We hope it may be of benefit to those who are wanting to learn more about how to wear a mask properly.