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In the words of Kenny Rogers, "If you're gonna wear a mask, boy, you gotta learn to wear it right." (Thread intended for HCWs, but important for anyone)
Point #1: If you're wearing a mask, its job is not to protect you. The point of the mask is to protect other people from you.
Point #1: If you're wearing a mask, its job is not to protect you. The point of the mask is to protect other people from you.
Because a significant percentage of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 donât have any symptoms, and those that do are contagious before symptoms develop, we have to assume everyone has it, including ourselves. Your mask is intended to protect others from you in case you're infected.
Masks may provide a slight benefit in protecting the person wearing them, but they are dangerous if not used correctly. Itâs helpful to think of things as âcleanâ and âdirty.â As you breathe--or get breathed on, the mask collects and concentrates viral particles.
The outside of your mask is âdirty.â The inside of it is âcleanâ only to you but âdirtyâ to everyone else.
Any time you touch your mask or place it on a surface, you are spreading viral particles. This is why itâs extremely important not to touch your mask.
Any time you touch your mask or place it on a surface, you are spreading viral particles. This is why itâs extremely important not to touch your mask.
Don't wear it under your chin or hanging from your ear. If you have to adjust it or take it off, you should wash your hands immediately before and afterâbefore so your hands donât carry viral particles to your face; after because touching your mask makes your hands dirty again.
It's ok to remove your mask if you are in your own personal space that nobody else uses and you are at least 6 feet away from coworkers/patients. In this case, remove it by touching only the earloops, place it in a specific spot that you now consider âdirty."
Be conscious of the fact that the mask and the surface itâs on could be covered with viral particles. Again, wash your hands after touching it. If youâre working with patients, around other people, or sharing workspace, the mask stays on all day unless youâre eating or drinking.
When itâs time to eat or drink, remove your mask (washing hands before and after), and place it somewhere safe, as above. It should remain in a clinical area, and not be taken to the breakroom.
While eating, ensure that you are sitting at least 6 feet (roughly your âwingspanâ) away from the closest personâoutside if great if thatâs an option. Wipe down surfaces before eating, and then wash your hands.
Remember, this isnât about us. Itâs about our family, friends, patients, and the retired couple with the Pomeranian that live down the street. Itâs about doing what we can to slow the rate of infection so that our inpatient/emergency/ICU colleagues arenât overwhelmed.
A simple thing like wearing your mask under your chin between patients may not seem like a big deal, but as the effects from that one action cascade, it could literally kill people. Thatâs why weâre wearing masks.
Yes, theyâre uncomfortable. Yes, you want to scratch your nose. Yes, itâs tough to breathe. Yes, they fog up your glasses. Thanks for doing your part anyway.
