Face masks are a critical tool in the fight against the Coronavirus. It is important to know who should wear the masks, if you should wear them, and how to properly and effectively do so.

When to use a mask:

• If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected COVID-19.
• Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing (or have contracted COVID-19).

How to properly wear masks to prevent COVID-19:

• Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
• Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
• To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

The World Health Organization has come out and stated that there is a world shortage of the masks, especially those health care professionals who are on the front lines fighting this virus. There is a very important quote from Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO health emergencies program on Monday, 3/30/20 –

“There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly.”