Mental health week article 2
We all have seen people trying to adjust to a new style of living and that includes wearing a mask. On occasions when I have gone out to do necessary grocery shopping, I have seen people fiddling with their masks, removing and wearing it again. One day I was speaking to my friends on a group call and we were trying to think what the right way is of wearing a mask and came up with a term Mask etiquette.
I am sharing this on mental health week as when I was talking to my friends, we discussed it for a good 10 minutes and I realised it is impacting us significantly and we were struggling to find right guidelines.
We all are now starting to go back to work slowly, below is what I have been following based on research on medical sites including NHS and WHO.
- Wear your mask once before leaving the house. Do not touch it after that.
- Make sure that mask covers the nose and goes below your chin. Tie securely to minimise any gaps between the face and the mask;
- Remove your mask only once you get back home do not touch it while you were out and about or only if needed replace masks with a new clean, dry mask as soon as they become damp/humid.
- Remove the mask by using an appropriate technique (i.e. do not touch the front but remove the lace from behind); After removal or whenever you inadvertently touch a used mask, clean hands by using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap
- Do not re-use single-use masks;
- Wash your mask/ sanitise it — I wash it separately and I also soak it in Dettol for 5 minutes before washing it.
- Only wear a mask for up to 8 hours
This is what I have been following and have shared with my friends too.
#COVID19 #Masks #mentalheathweek
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