Surely you have made one of these 5 mistakes with your mask

Wearing a mask is a very effective measure against coronavirus if you use it well. These gestures could be canceling your protection. Stop doing them!

Since the pandemic began, health authorities have repeated ad nauseam  the three main protection measures we have against COVID-19:

• Use a mask
• A good one hand hygiene
• Distancing social

Following these three recommendations is not a guarantee of not contracting the disease, but it does reduce the chances of doing so by a very high percentage . Now, are we doing it right? Experts have detected numerous errors in the use of masks . We are using them, yes, but sometimes we make mistakes that may be nullifying their protection and putting everyone’s health at risk.

THE MOST IMPORTANT

Remember, if you are in a closed space – especially without ventilation – with people who do not belong to your bubble of coexistence, it is very important that you do not remove your mask. Although, do not trust yourself: masks by themselves do not protect if you are exposed for a long time. According to experts, if you are going to meet someone – in many autonomous communities you can only meet 6 people – it is better to do it outdoors. If it is in a closed space, make sure there is cross ventilation (open the windows), do not take off your masks , keep the distance of 2 meters and reduce the time of the meeting the maximum possible. The more these measures are relaxed, the more the risk of contagion increases.

You have to get used to the idea that wearing the mask correctly protects the person in front of you. Only if we all carry it (AND WE CARRY IT WELL), will we all be protected. Record these recommendations  on what you should never do with your mask. Apply the story!

PUT IT ON WITHOUT WASHING YOUR HANDS

Hand hygiene is a measure that will keep you away from coronavirus and many other diseases. If you do not wash your hands before handling or putting on the mask, you could transfer all the bacteria and viruses to the barrier garment and nullify its effectiveness.

TOUCH HER IN THE CENTRAL AREA

Always handle your mask by the straps that are tied to the head or ears. Never touch the central area! Do not forget that it is in contact with your face and that you could be contaminating it.

WEAR IT ON YOUR CHIN, WRIST OR ELBOW

It may be comfortable for you to lower the mask and wear it on your chin, but at a hygienic and protective level it is preferable to remove it correctly and store it in a sanitized breathable cover . It is also not a good idea to carry it hanging from your elbow or wrist. Exactly the same thing happens.

STORE IT DIRECTLY IN YOUR BAG OR LEAVE IT ON THE DASHBOARD

Removing the mask and putting it directly in a bag is not safe. Nor is it hygienic to leave it on the dashboard of the car or hang it from the handlebars of the bike or motorcycle. These compartments are a vector of contamination.

USE IT LONGER THAN INDICATED.

Stop overusing your mask. Don’t wear surgical masks for more than four hours or wash them longer than the manufacturer’s instructions. After this time , the barrier function is no longer guaranteed .