The coronavirus pandemic has made face masks and coverings are an important part of daily life. The World Health Organization has advised wearing face coverings to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 infection. Face coverings have become mandatory on public transport, indoor shopping centers, in all shops, banks, and other establishments. Despite the continuous debate over the benefits of face masks and coverings, you want to know more about these devices so you are prepared and informed.

Remember this Buying a Face Mask

Medical face masks are reserved for frontline staff and key workers.  A medical face mask and face covering don’t have the same degree of effectiveness. A lot of infections are spread by droplets that tend to be big when they first come out as a sneeze or cough; however, become smaller as they travel through the air. A cloth face covering blocks the sources of infection instead of protecting the wearer. This means that the majority of germs are caught in, making the wearer less of an infection risk to others.

Before wearing your mask, ensure your hands are clean. Do not touch your face or adjust the mask while wearing it. Otherwise, the virus particles can transfer from the outside of your mouth and nose.

Pay Attention to the Following When Buying a Face Covering

Before you purchase a face covering, make sure to consider the following:

  • Experts recommend not wearing a face covering with a valve. Wearing a mask with a valve does not protect the people around you as the valve allows everyone to breathe into the air.
  • When wearing glasses, choose a tie face covering to adjust the fit to ensure it sits tightly across your nose. You can also buy a mask made with a nose clip, so your glasses don’t steam up a lot.
  • An effective medical mask fits over the bridge of your nose, past your mouth’s edges to under the chin. It should not restrict your normal head movements. Ensure you can breathe comfortably while wearing it.
  • Frequency of wearing. Some face masks are washable while others must be disposed of after one use. Even if you use a washable face mask, ensure you don’t wear it on a succeeding day. Get a pack of masks so you don’t wash one every day to reuse. Also, make sure there is enough for your family to avoid sharing of masks.