Seeing as wearing masks is gaining traction, I figured I would share my knowledge regarding how to wear them.

Firstly, don't wear professional grade masks, our health workers need them. If you have any, reach out here to donate them:

https://ottawa.ca/en/health-and-public-safety/covid-19-ottawa/how-you-can-help#donations-personal-protective-equipment-ppe

If you have non-professional grade masks or homemade masks/bandanas/whatever:

- Wash your hands before putting it on.
- Once it is on your face DO NOT TOUCH IT again. Assume it is contaminated.

Do NOT pull it down under your chin, then back up when you go in a store, then down again once you are outside.

If you do this you may as well have not been wearing it. Touching the mask means all the bacteria/viruses on that mask are now on your hands/chin.

When removing the mask, if it has ear loops use one pinky finger to hook it off your ear then put it straight in the garbage.

If no ear loops, take it off with as little contact as possible. Make sure its easy to remove before you leave the house.

Then wash your hands!

If it is reusable, eg a homemade fabric mask, it needs to be washed after every use. When you take it off, put it straight in the washing machine.

If it is a single use mask, throw it away. You cannot keep re-wearing the same mask over and over.

If you are taking off masks and putting them by the door then re-wearing them when you go out again, you may as well not be wearing the mask at all. You should never be putting a contaminated mask back onto your face.

Finally, wear a mask if it will make you feel safer. But make sure you are wearing it effectively and not exposing yourself to the virus/bacteria that you are trying to protect yourself from.

Stay safe everyone!!