Covid-19 has been found to spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with every day preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.
Here are some guidelines on how to properly wear and take off a mask.
WEAR YOUR MASK CORRECTLY
- Wash your hands before putting on your mask
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
- Make sure you can breathe easily
- Do not place a mask on a child younger than 2
USE A MASK TO HELP PROTECT OTHERS
- Wear a mask to help protect others in case you’re infected but don’t have symptoms
- Keep the mask on your face the entire time you’re in public
- Don’t put the mask around your neck or up on your forehead
- Don’t touch the mask, and, if you do, clean your hands
FOLLOW EVERYDAY HEALTH HABITS
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Wash your hands often, with soap and water, for at least
- 20 seconds each time
- Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
TAKE OFF YOUR MASK CAREFULLY WHEN YOU’RE HOME
- Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
- Handle only by the ear loops or ties
- Fold outside corners together
- Place mask in the washing machine
- Wash your hands with soap and water
For more info, see: cdc.gov/coronavirus