Both federal and local public health officials have recommended that if you need to leave your house during coronavirus stay-at-home orders, you cover your nose and mouth with a mask.
According to Dr. Cinnamon Redd, if you're using a surgical mask, always make sure the blue side is facing outward. You should also make sure you wash your hands before touching your mask.
“Then you are going to fit it to your face. Take the metal piece and squeeze it down to the bridge of your nose and pull the rest of the face mask down to your chin,” she explained.
Whether you are using a surgical mask or a homemade cloth mask, don't adjust it, even to speak, due to the outside of the mask being considered contaminated.
When removing the mask, make sure you pull it away from your face.
Dr. Redd said you should also dispose of your gloves after each use.
“Pinch them and pull them out since the inside of your glove is clean and then grasp it with your gloved hand and put a thumb under and pull the glove and grasp it over,” said Dr. Redd.
If you're using a surgical mask, only use it for up to 12 hours and then dispose of it and if you're using a cloth mask, you should wash it at least daily.
Dr. Redd adds that abiding by these simple steps can go a long way when it comes to successfully using a face mask.