COVID-19, WEARING OF MASKS

QUESTION: Why should people wear masks?

ANSWER: Masks are a key measure to suppress transmission and save lives.

Masks should be used as part of a comprehensive ‘‘Do it all!’’ Approach including physical distancing, avoiding crowded, closed and close-contact settings, good ventilation, cleaning hands, covering sneezes and coughs, and more.

Depending on the type, masks can be used for either protection of healthy persons or to prevent onward transmission.

Q: Who should wear what kind of mask? A: Medical masks are recommended for: Health workers in clinical settings. See our guidance for more information on the use of personal protective equipment by health care workers.

Anyone who is feeling unwell, including people with mild symptoms, such as muscle aches, slight cough, sore throat or fatigue.

Anyone awaiting Covid-19 test results or who has tested positive.

People caring for someone who is a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 outside of health facilities.

Medical masks are also recommended for the following groups, because they are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 and dying:

People aged 60 or over

People of any age with underlying health conditions, including chronic respiratory disease, cardio-vascular disease, cancer, obesity, immunocompromised patients and diabetes mellitus.

Non-medical, fabric masks can be used by the general public under the age of 60 and who do not have underlying health conditions.

Q: When should masks be worn by the general public?

A: In areas where the virus is circulating, masks should be worn when you’re in crowded settings, where you can’t be at least 1 metre from others, and in rooms with poor or unknown ventilation. It’s not always easy to determine the quality of ventilation, which depends on the rate of air change, recirculation and outdoor fresh air. So if you have any doubts, it’s safer to simply wear a mask.

You should always clean your hands before and after using a mask, and before touching it while wearing it. While wearing a mask, you should still keep physical distance from others as much as possible. Wearing a mask does not mean you can have close contact with people.

For indoor public settings such as busy shopping centres, religious buildings, restaurants, schools and public transport, you should wear a mask if you cannot maintain physical distance from others.

If a visitor comes to your home who is not a member of the household, wear a mask if you cannot maintain a physical distance or the ventilation is poor. When outside, wear a mask if you cannot maintain physical distance from others. Some examples are busy markets, crowded streets and bus stops.

Q: Should I wear a mask while exercising? A: Even when you’re in an area of Covid19 transmission, masks should not be worn during vigorous physical activity because of the risk of reducing your breathing capacity. No matter how in-tensely you exercise, keep at least 1 metre away from others, and if you’re indoors, make sure there is adequate ventilation.

Q: How should I wear and clean a fabric mask?

Q: How to put on and wear a fabric mask: A: Before touching the mask, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Inspect the mask for tears or holes, do not use a mask that is damaged.

Adjust the mask to cover your mouth, nose, and chin, leaving no gaps on the sides.

Place the straps behind your head or ears. Do not cross the straps because this can cause gaps on the side of your face.

Avoid touching the mask while wearing it. If you touch it, clean your hands.

Change your mask if it gets dirty or wet.

How to take off and store a fabric mask:

Clean your hands before taking off the mask. Take off the mask by removing it from the ear loops, without touching the front of the mask. If your fabric mask is not dirty or wet and you plan to reuse it, put it in a clean plastic, resealable bag. If you need to use it again, hold the mask at the elastic loops when removing it from the bag. Clean your mask once a day.

Clean your hands after removing the mask.

How to clean a fabric mask:

Wash fabric masks in soap or detergent and preferably hot water (at least 60 degrees Centi-grade/140

degrees Fahrenheit) at least once a day.

If it is not possible to wash the mask in hot water, then wash it in soap/detergent and room temperature water, followed by boiling the mask for 1 minute.

General tips:

Make sure to clean your hands before touching your mask. Make sure you have your own mask and do not share it with others.

Resist the temptation to pull down your mask to your chin or take if off when speaking to other people.

Do not store your mask around your arm or wrist or pull it down to rest around your chin or neck. Instead, store it in a clean plastic bag WHO