Masks are an absolute necessity these days. Even though we should all stay indoors and keep safe by avoiding contact with people outside of our household, we can’t avoid going out from time to time to procure the essentials.
Face masks are important for keeping safe during these days, and you shouldn’t leave home without one. Additionally, you should always make sure that you keep a few at home, ready at any time for usage. If you’d like to get some for yourself and your family during these trying times without having to go to different places and risking infection, or if you can’t find any other place to get safety supplies, you can get yours here at Elinz.
Make sure to follow this link to get all safety supplies that you need here at Elinz: Elinz COVID-19 Limited Product Listing
Here are some of the most important guidelines that we highly recommend you go through when wearing masks:
Check the mask completely and make sure that it’s complete with no issues. If you’re using a surgical mask, here are some of the most important parts of the mask to ensure your safety:
Straps. Make sure that they’re attached to the mask completely and that they’re placed sturdy. You don’t have to stress-test it by pulling on the straps; just make sure they’re attached and will not break when you wear it.
The metal strip on the top end. If your mask doesn’t have a metal strip at the top, refrain from using it as this part secures it on your nose bridge. Without it, you won’t be able to use the mask properly.
Make sure that the mask has a colored side out; if both are coloured white, then make sure at least one side is thicker than the other. If you’re seeing both sides have the same material, do not use it as it might not have been manufactured correctly. If you purchase from us, our masks have a blue coloured side, which you should be wearing outward - it’s the side that protects from fluids and prevents any large particles from coming in.
If your mask passes all the aforementioned quality checks, you can now use it to protect yourself for when you’re going out.
Here are some precautions that we recommend you take while wearing a mask outside:
Set the mask in the most comfortable position possible, making sure that your nose and mouth are well-covered, before heading outside. It’s absolutely imperative that you cover your airways, namely your nose and your mouth, but it's also important that you’re comfortable with the mask.
The metal strip should fit just right on top of your nose bridge- it’s also a great way to identify which part of the mask should be on top. It’s supposed to bend right on top of your nose bridge, which you’ll need to fit manually before heading out. This makes sure that your airways are secure from any kind of particle that might still be suspended in the air, or was newly released.
Make sure that when you’re outside, that you don’t fiddle with the mask. Always assume that you have the particles on your fingers- so make sure to not touch your mask. The protective covering of the mask might have some particles stuck on it as well, so make sure it doesn’t touch your hands or some parts of your face near your airways.
Additionally, make sure that you’re wearing the straps correctly- some people like to “cross” the straps across their ears, but that creates an opening on the sides of the mask; not an effective way to keep the particles out. Wear it normally and directly on your ears like so:
Once you’re home and back in quarantine, make sure to dispose of the mask immediately, wash your hands first thoroughly for 20 seconds using soap and water, before going on to your face and washing it for the same amount of time. Here's a quick guide on how you can dispose of your used mask:
If you were exposed to the outside for more than a couple of hours, it’s best to continue it into a bath, carefully using soap and water to cleanse your entire body.
Wearing a mask doesn’t protect you completely from prolonged exposure to the outside world. While it’s absolutely true that masks do provide protection against particles that might contain COVID-19, it does not make you invincible from the virus. Continue to practice the following precautions:
Continue to practice social distancing. Being close to other people (for example, standing close to another person in the grocery line, sitting close to other people on public transportation) increases your risk of contracting the virus. It’s safe to pretend that the person that’s close to you might have it, so make sure to keep a safe distance of 1.5m (which is 5 feet).
If you’re going to sneeze or cough, be considerate- even though you have a mask on, sneeze or cough into your elbow and don’t just do it without covering up. We’re all afraid of the virus, and you’d do well to assuage the fears of the people around you by showing that you’re following the necessary precautions.
Even though you’re wearing a mask, make sure to keep some sanitary wipes on you, or bring a sanitizer that has 70% alcohol; you don’t have to bring a lot - just bring a small container of it to help clean your hands after touching something. This doesn’t replace soap and water though, so make sure you’ll still wash your hands afterward.
And lastly, if it’s not important at all, stay indoors and don’t go out. We all need to follow quarantine protocols to the letter if we’re to beat the virus. If you’re going out, make sure that it’s only to get the essentials and nothing else. Food, groceries, toiletries- these are all essential.
If you’re only going out to visit a friend or a family member, do reconsider even if you’re wearing protective equipment such as a surgical mask- we’ll have plenty of time for that after the virus; for now, we should all just be extra careful to help flatten the curve.
Remember to stay safe and stay indoors, and shop from the safety of your home with Elinz!
