MAKE MASKS YOUR STYLE
When picking out your summer wardrobe, make a mask part of your seasonal apparel. In the hot weather, they can be somewhat uncomfortable, but we are calling on the people of Saskatchewan to get on board.
You can easily pick a covering that not only protects you and others, but is an expression of your personality. Patriotic Canadian flag masks were a hot ticket on July 1. In Regina, fashion designer Dean Renwick has created a pattern that people can download from his website and use to create an attractive, effective model.
Off the top of the COVID-19 crisis, we were advised that masks were not helpful in containing the virus. That advice has now changed. As life opens up, and we venture out to be reunited with friends and family, a mask can mitigate the risk involved.
Health Canada says the most important thing people can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to regularly wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or, if that’s impossible, to use hand sanitizer that contains 60 per cent alcohol.
But using proper face covering is also advised, according to the government of Canada website, “for periods of time when it is not possible to consistently maintain a two-metre physical distance from others, particularly in crowded public settings, such as: stores, shopping areas and public transportation.”
Here is what the federal government sees as proper standards for non-medical face masks: Allow for easy breathing; fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops; maintain their shape after washing and drying; be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty; be comfortable and not require frequent adjustment; be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen); be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping; not be shared, placed on kids under two years of age or made of plastic materials.
There are guidelines for both sewn and no-sew masks on the government website.
It is important to leave approved, medical-grade masks for use by front-line healthcare workers. But entrepreneurial and generous souls have been busy sewing up masks. There is no excuse not to shop local and support businesses in your community by buying a non-medical face mask.
How do we get our economy back in motion, while still avoiding loss of life and a spike in illnesses and hospitalizations in Saskatchewan? Wearing masks, even if you don’t have symptoms, can be an important part of protecting yourself and others in the community.