According to experts, There is only ONE WAY to Wear a Face Mask (Surgical Mask) the Right Way
Misinformation about the correct way to wear the face masks has WILDLY SPREAD on Facebook and WhatsApp following the global outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus called the 2019 ‘novel’-coronavirus (2019 nCoV).
What hurts me the most is that even my colleagues and closest friends trusts it.
Below are the frequently asked questions by people around social medias.
Should I wear the face mask with the blue-colored side of the masks inwards?
anonymous 1
Should I wear the face mask with the white-colored side of the masks inwards?
ANONYMOUS 2
Is it true that If I am sick, I should wear the face mask with the blue-colored side outwards?
ANONYMOUS 3
How to wear the face mask properly?
I hate to be the one to break it up to you but there is only ONE WAY of wearing the mask.
According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in his interview with ANC, “the blue one is on the outside. It’s supposed to be the water-repellant side. The white is the absorbent [side] so when you sneeze, it gets absorbed there“.
How long should the face mask be used?
According to Duque, the surgical face masks should only be used for eight (8) to ten (10) hours and are disposable. Otherwise, these may serve as sources of bacteria due to prolonged exposure.
Steps on how to wear the face mask properly
Here are some step-by-step instructions for wearing a surgical face mask correctly :
- Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitizer, before touching the mask
- Hold the mask so that the stiff bendable strip is on top, and the coloured side facing outwards.
- If the surgical mask has ear loops – hold the mask by the ear loops, and place a loop around each ear.
- If the surgical mask has ties – bring the mask to your nose and place the ties over the crown of your head, and secure by tying them in a bow.
- If the surgical mask has elastic bands – bring the mask to your nose and pull the top band over your head and let it rest on the crown of your head, and then pull the bottom strap over your head and let it rest on the nape of your neck.
- Mould or pinch the nose strip to conform to the shape of your nose.
- Pull the bottom of the surgical mask over your mouth and chin.
Please don’t just jump into conclusion just because a post in facebook said so. I am no health expert but I read facts from trusted sources.
Travelling somewhere? Don’t forget to use a surgical face mask!
Always remember to “Develop your One Days to Day Ones!“
XOXO,
