Wear a mask.. it’s not a big ask
FACE masks will be compulsory in Scottish shops from next Friday. And the First Minister is urging shoppers not to wait but to get into the habit of covering their faces right away.
Nicola Sturgeon set a good example when non-essential shops opened, wearing a smart tartan mask to visit a branch of New Look at an Edinburgh shopping centre.
Everyone from the Scottish Government to the World Health Organisation agrees that masks have a role to play in preventing a second spike of Covid as lockdown eases and life gets back to normal.
Masks are already compulsory on public transport in Scotland, including taxis and private hire cars and the enclosed areas on ferries.
The Scottish Government also advises wearing a mask in an indoor space where social distancing is difficult, or there is a higher risk of contact with other people. That includes entering offices and other businesses, visiting care homes, attending hospital as an outpatient and going to a GP surgery.
The only exemptions in any situation are under-fives, people with breathing difficulties and those with a physical condition that makes it hard to keep a mask in place.
WHAT MASK TO CHOOSE
Medical grade masks protect the wearer against becoming infected. these are expensive, uncomfortable and in short supply. The advice for the public is not to wear them.
For non-medics, a paper or cloth face mask is adequate. These do not offer the wearer protection against infection – that is where hand washing comes in. Instead, they cut down the risk of a person who has Covid, and is infectious but has no symptoms, passing it on.
A mask prevents infectious droplets from the mouth and nose being spread into the atmosphere.
Paper or cloth masks should fit snugly around the nose and mouth. Any kind of covering, including a scarf, is better than nothing. Denser fabrics, or a double layer of material, offer more protection. Single use masks must not be reused.
HOW TO PUT IT ON
Wash your hands well with soap and water, or use antibacterial hand gel if needed, before putting on the mask. Make sure it sits snugly over the mouth and nose, with no gaps.
Avoid touching it while wearing. If you do, wash your hands. Replace the mask when it is damp.
Take it off by slipping the elastic over the ears without touching the front. If it’s paper, bin it immediately. If it’s washable, put it in the washing machine, then wash your hands.
WASHING
Masks should be washed after every use, at the highest temperature suitable for the fabric. For cotton, that should be 60C or 40C for knitted or synthetic fabrics.
Handwash by soaking in a mild bleach solution and rinsing after five minutes.
Tumble dry on a high heat or use a hot iron. Ensure the mask is dry before wearing it again.