ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Peter Jackson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
If you thought you saw pre-flight safety instructions at Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, that was infection control nurse specialist Brenda Earles demonstrating how to properly use a homemade face mask.
“While wearing a non-medical mask such as a homemade cloth mask hasn’t been proven to protect the person wearing it, it can be used as an additional measure to protect others around you by preventing your respiratory droplets from contaminating others or landing on surfaces,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said before the demonstration began.
However, she said they are recommended for people out shopping and using public transit.
Here are the steps, as demonstrated by Earles.
EAR LOOP MASK
Putting it on
• Before putting it on, clean hands for at least 20 seconds, or use 60 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• When hands are dry, pick up mask by the ear loops.
• Place one loop over one ear, then place the other loop over the other ear.
• Adjust mask so it is over nose and pull down under chin so it covers the face as much as possible. (Some masks have wire in upper part to shape it over the nose.)
• Once you’ve done this with clean hands, it’s important to avoid touching your face or the mask again.
• You must keep your mask on while talking to others.
Taking it off
• Don’t take the mask off until you are away from others, have a way to wash your hands and have a place to put the mask away for washing.
• Clean hands first, as above.
• Remove the loops from ears; do not touch the front of the mask.
• Place the mask in the laundry, or in a bag to transfer to laundry later. (The bag should be washed or disposed of as well.)
• Clean your hands again.
MASK WITH TIES
The instructions for these are the same, with the following differences.
• When putting on, tie the top strings around your head first, then tie the bottom strings around your neck.
• Adjust mask as usual.
• When removing, untie the bottom strings first, then the top strings.
Remember: wearing a mask is not a replacement for proven public health measures of proper hand hygiene and physical distancing.
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram.
