Face Mask Guide : The RIGHT Way To Wear + Remove!

Wearing a face mask is critical in preventing the spread of COVID-19, but only if you wear it the right way.

It is also important to REMOVE it the right way, or you could end up infecting yourself!

Learn the RIGHT way to wear your face mask, and the RIGHT way to remove it!

 

Face Mask : Effectiveness Of Each Type

There are many kinds of face masks in the market, but we are going to focus on the three main ones that are easy for you to get :

Some Effectiveness : Fashion Or Pitta Mask

• usually made from cotton or (better) polyurethane, without any specific protection rating
• includes home-made cotton masks recommended by the CDC and the Czechs in this category

Moderately Effective : 3-Ply Surgical Face Mask

• usually rated with bacterial filtration efficiency of >99% at 5 microns, and >95% at 3 microns
• has outer hydrophobic layer, which repels water, blood and body fluids,
• and a middle filter layer that is designed to filter bacteria, and finally,
• an inner hydrophilic layer, which absorbs water, sweat and spit

Highly Effective : N95 Respirator

• has a particle filtration efficiency of >95% at 0.3 microns
• must be properly fitted with a very close facial fit

In this article, we are going to focus on the 3-ply surgical face mask, which is the most common type of face mask used in China and most of Asia, to protect against SARS and now, the COVID-19 coronavirus.

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How To Wear A Pitta / Fashion Face Mask Correctly

Here are some step-by-step instructions for wearing a pitta / fashion face mask correctly :

1. Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser, before touching the mask
2. Hold the mask by its ear loops and bring it to your face.
3. Place a loop around each ear, and tighten them to ensure a close fit.
4. Adjust the mask to make sure it covers your nose as high up as possible, while also covering your chin.
5. If your face mask has a nose strip, mould or pinch it to conform to the shape of your nose.

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How To Remove A Pitta / Fashion Face Mask Correctly

After use, the mask will be dirty and contaminated and must be removed and washed.

So please follow these instructions, to avoid infecting yourself while removing your face mask :

1. Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser, before touching the mask.
2. AVOID touching the front of the mask, because it is contaminated. Only touch the ear loops.
3. Hold and unhook both ear loops and gently lift the mask away from your face.
4. Immediately wash the pitta / fashion face mask with soap and water. Make sure you scrub it for at least 30 seconds with soap before rinsing it off.
5. Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser again, before touching anything else.

 

How To Wear A Surgical Face Mask Correctly

Here are some step-by-step instructions for wearing a surgical mask correctly :

1. Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser, before touching the mask
2. Hold the mask with the stiff bendable strip on top, and the coloured side facing outwards.
3. If the surgical mask has ear loops – hold the mask by the ear loops, and place a loop around each ear.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Mould or pinch the nose strip to conform to the shape of your nose.
7. Pull the bottom of the surgical mask under your mouth and chin.

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How To Remove A Surgical Face Mask Correctly

After use, the surgical mask will be dirty and contaminated and must be removed and disposed of properly.

So please follow these instructions, to avoid infecting yourself while removing your face mask :

1. Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser, before touching the mask.
2. AVOID touching the front of the mask, because it is contaminated. Only touch the ear loops / ear ties / ear bands.
3. If the surgical face mask has ear loops – hold and unhook both ear loops and gently lift the mask away from your face.
4. If the surgical face mask has ties – untie the bottom bow first, followed by the top bow, before pulling the mask away from your face
5. If the surgical face mask has elastic bands – lift the bottom strap over your head first, and then pull the top strap over your head
6. Holding the mask only by the ear loops / ear ties / ear bands, dispose of the mask in the trash.
7. Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser again, before touching anything else.

 

Where To Buy Face Masks

Fashion / Pitta Face Masks

• Malaysia | Malaysia
• Singapore
• Australia
• United States
• United Kingdom

3-Ply Surgical Face Masks

• Malaysia | Malaysia
• Singapore
• Australia
• United States
• United Kingdom

 

COVID-19 : How To Keep Safe!

Here are a few simple steps to stay safe from COVID-19 :

• Stay at home or shelter in place
• Keep your hands clean with soap or hand sanitiser
• Keep your home, office, vehicle, etc. clean
• If you must go out, maintain a social distance of 6 feet (2 metres)
• Wear a surgical mask and make sure you put it on and remove it properly!
• Wash your food with water (and soap) after purchase and before preparation

Recommended : Soap vs Sanitiser : Which Works Better Against COVID-19?
Recommended : Surgical Mask : How To CORRECTLY Wear + Remove!
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