How to take care of your face masks
Two years into the global coronavirus pandemic, masks have become more essential than ever. It's a way to reduce COVID-19 transmission recommended by health professionals and is a relatively easy way that one can do to avoid getting the disease, other than perpetually staying indoors.
The importance of face masks have become even more pronounced with the arrival of the omicron variant, the first three cases of which were first discovered in the country last year.
Since mask wearing isn't going to leave us any time soon, here are a few tips on how to take care of them throughout the day.
Sanitize your hands first
The rising number of vaccinated individuals and the impending distribution of coronavirus vaccine booster shots in pharmacies have resulted in the government allowing a number of establishments to entertain guests and customers.
Our first instinct once inside these establishments is to take off our masks, but you have to be careful about how you take it off. Make sure to sanitize your hands first before taking off your mask. Be careful not to touch the front of your mask as well, and only handle it by its straps or ear loops.
Put your mask in a paper or resealable plastic bag when you're not using it, and if you have one on hand, you can lightly spray it with sanitizer as well.
Wash your cloth mask daily
While America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends upgrading to an N95 or FFP2 mask due to the high transmission rates of the omicron variant, having even a cloth mask on is better than having no mask at all.
If you're using cloth face masks, be sure you have more than one of them in the house or with you when you go out as it is recommended that you wash them after one day of use. Either put them in the gentle cycle of a washing machine or hand-wash them using unscented laundry detergent if you are sensitive to smells.
Learn to let go
If you're using the disposable surgical masks, there is no option for you to wash or reuse them. You also do not have the option to wear them for more than a day, as it is recommended they only be used for a maximum of 10 hours, or double that if there is an emergency and there are no other masks available. However, if the mask is already visibly damp or soiled, it is time to throw it away, whether 10 hours have passed or not.
Aside from wearing masks, another way for you to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Check out celebrities that have already been vaccinated in the gallery below.
