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THERE HAS BEEN an increase in the number of people wearing face masks recently in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19, but there is confusion about how to use them properly.
Some people have been wearing masks since the start of the pandemic but there has been another surge in demand since the government last week advised that face coverings be worn on public transport and in crowded places.
Wearing a face mask is not mandatory but many people are opting to in an effort to help prevent the spread of the virus.
There are are opposing views on the effectiveness of masks, but – if worn properly – they could help to stop Covid-19 from spreading.
Speaking at a government briefing last Friday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan warned that people “cannot regard face coverings as some kind of magic shield in relation to this disease”, adding that good hand hygiene and social distancing are still essential.
‘Not a magic bullet’
Holohan said he is “concerned” the advice about face coverings could be “interpreted in a way by people that meant that maybe we don’t need to worry about washing our hands as much or, if we wear a face covering, we can we can disregard the requirement in terms of social distancing – that is not the case”.
“So this is an additional hygiene measure. It’s not a magic bullet for this disease, and that has to be understood,” Holohan said.
Speaking at the same event, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reiterated this, saying: “We really need to emphasise that it’s an additional hygiene measure, it’s not a substitute for social distancing and for other forms of hygiene.”
Varadkar said people are encouraged to wear face coverings, rather than masks, to ensure masks can be saved for healthcare workers.
“That’s really important when it comes to surgical masks and when it comes to respiratory masks. While there is no shortage of them at the moment, if we had millions of people using them every day there’s a risk that it might lead to a shortage for healthcare workers.
“We don’t want that to happen so that’s why we’re advising face coverings in preference to face masks,” Varadkar stated.
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When and how to wear a face mask
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised people to wear a face covering in the following circumstances:
When staying two metres apart from people is difficult – for example, in shops, shopping centres or public transport
in an enclosed indoor space with other people
The HSE has said cloth face coverings are not suitable for children under the age of 13 and anyone who:
has trouble breathing
is unconscious or incapacitated
is unable to remove it without help
has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the face covering
In terms of wearing a face covering, the HSE said it should cover a person’s nose, mouth and under their chin and:
fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
be secured with ties or ear loops
include at least two layers of fabric
allow for breathing without restriction
Here is a guide to making a face covering.
It is advised to wear one where social distancing is not possible.
Face coverings are not a replacement for washing your hands well and often with soap and water.
Here is the HSE’s advice on how to put on a face covering properly:
DO:
Clean your hands properly before you put it on
Practice using it so you are comfortable putting it on and taking it off
Make sure it is made from a fabric you are comfortable wearing
Cover your mouth and nose with it and make sure there are no gaps between your cloth face covering
Tie it securely
Carry unused face coverings in a sealable clean waterproof bag – for example, a ziplock bag
Carry a second similar bag to put used face coverings in
DON’T:
Do not touch a face covering while wearing it – if you do, clean your hands properly
Do not use a wet or soiled face covering
Do not share face coverings
Do not lower your face coverings to speak, eat and smoke or vape – if you need to uncover your nose or mouth take the face covering off and put it in the bag for used face coverings
Do not discard face coverings in public places
If you wear glasses, advice on how to stop them from fogging up while wearing a face mask can be read here.
More advice from the HSE, and guidance on how to make your own face covering, can be read here.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued similar advice in terms of wearing face masks.
Before putting on a mask, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
Cover your mouth and nose with the 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 WHO has stated that masks are only effective “when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water”.
“If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly,” the organisation noted.
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@Jurga Moylan: Irish people are pretty woeful when it comes to wearing them. Upside down, inside out, not covering the nose, its a PSA that needs to be spread around even this long into corona.
@Michael O’Neill: the WHO’s advice is that asymptotic people should not wear them either.
The point I’m making is that these mixed signals from those in charge will cause confusion.
@Henry Clarke: it’s literally better than wearing nothing. All we’re trying to do is control the spread here, you see, every time you exhale you release tiny droplets into the air and then that’s how ultimately the virus spreads from person to person. So if we can limit that we can limit the spread. Make sense ?
@Wayne Connor: if you’ve any stubble at all, it’s pointless, air finds the path of least resistance. People should YouTube face fit testing to pick up a few pointers on correct methods of usage.
@Derek: so instead of breathing out 100 percent of your germs, you’re breathing out significantly less with a mask on. That’s all we can do to contain the spread unfortunately. Why do people insist on being obstinate about this ?? It’s like trying to convince a child to put his coat on before he goes out
@Henry Clarke: yeah , cos I heard the ones with the vents shoot the droplets like a water pistol straight up other people’s noses. They’re lethal. They should be banned. Somebody online said that
@Wayne Connor: don’t be a t wat. You’re leaning over the veg in the supermarket to get something and dropets fall onto other veg. That’s just one example. They’re industrial masks. For dust, fumes etc. I Suppose you’re one of those folks that wear gloves and damp masks round all day every day. I’m not against masks. I’m not against gloves. But wearing the wrong mask and using incorrect technique is as good as wearing nothing. Worse in my eyes. Fortunately for you this is just my opinion.
Also as per the WHO guidelines “Healthy and as-symptomatic people shouldn’t wear masks unless they’re caring for those with the virus,”. Seems there are plenty of information sources out there with contradictory but correct advice.
@james r: Good luck with that. Tell it to your medical team if you ever need surgery. I’m sure they will be happy to go without masks and trust your immune system to protect you.
@Gerry Campbell: Mine aren’t dirty. I bought a load of cotton ones and they go in the high temp laundry cycle like teatowels or anything else. I use a fresh one every time I need to use one. I keep a clean one in my handbag as well because I’m inclined to forget them.
Wrong to say masks don’t protect the wearer … of course they do!
That is why all industrial workers wear masks in risk environments – N95 or EU equivalent FFP2.
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