15 tricks and tips when wearing a mask that will help you protect yourself better in front of the virus

Although confinement is raised the protection measures against Coronavirus will remain essential to avoid the rebound of the disease.

Under this context it is expected that the mask will remain a common element of the so -called "new normality."The mask is useful for not ending up infected, but above all so as not to infect others if you are suffering from COVID-19.

This material was already mandatory when using public transport, and from now on it will also be in other closed spaces and on public roads, provided that safety distance cannot be respected.

There are several types of masks, and knowing each of them and especially their specifications, allows you to ensure correct protection.

But although its use is being popularized, there are still some usual errors about the masks that can lead to risk for you or others.

To avoid this and ensure the best protection here some tricks and advice are collected that will help you carry the mask in the most correct and safe way.

It is also essential to remember that even if you carry facial protection you must continue to carry out the protection measures against the coronavirus such as avoiding your face, and washing your hands frequently.

1. Carrying mask does not completely protect you from the virus

The use of masks is an important step when avoiding the spread of the outbreak.

The virus could be transmitted through the goticles expelled when coughing or sneezing, and even some studies suggest that it can also be transferred when speaking or breathing.When the mouth and nose are covered with it, a barrier is generated that can prevent this.

However, that does not make you completely protected from a possible infection simply by wearing a mask.The pathogen could still enter your body, for example through your eyes if you touch your face without having washed your hands.

It is important to take this into account and know, therefore, that although we must continue to respect the protection measures indicated from the beginning: avoid touching your face and frequently wash your hands.Especially after removing it, since viral load could be accumulated in the outer face of the mask and spread.

2. If you have a protective facial screen you should also wear a mask

A recent investigation indicates that the eyes seem to be an important route of transmission of the new coronavirus.

A measure with which you could avoid contact with your face to protect you from infection is to use a facial protective screen.

But this article should always be complementing with the mask.Since although it helps to cover eyes and ears, facial screens do not offer respiratory protection as it allows the mask.

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3. The surgical mask helps not to infect others but does not protect you from the virus

When wearing a surgical or hygienic mask, you prevent spreading saliva droplets and thus infect others.But none of these types shows great efficacy when filtering the air so they will not prevent you from being infected.

Even FPP1 type masks only filter 78% of the particles, so they are not a total barrier against infection.

In spite of this, we must not dismiss its usefulness, since as they can help not expand the disease if it is infected.If everyone would take them, it would thus minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially in asymptomatic cases that can go unnoticed.

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4. Valve masks do not prevent the spread of virus

The mask valve aims to prevent the air from accumulating and hot inside.

In this way the mask filters the particles from abroad, avoiding the infection of those who have been put, but does not protect the rest, since the air that comes out of the valve is not filtered.

"The valve available to some masks is designed so that healthy people can deal with patients with respiratory infectious pathologies," Guillermo Melgar, a pharmacist and author of the enraged pharmacy, explained to damn science."If the person who carries it is infected, it does not serve to avoid infecting others. That is why it is recommended to 'close' said valve," he adds.For example, using a surgical mask above the mask with valve.

This point is important to understand why a person who carries this type of mask could be spreading the disease without knowing if he has not yet developed symptoms or is asymptomatic.

5. How should the masks that children use

According to the recommendations of the BOE, "the fastening to the head for the hygienic masks for children must be able to hold without generating knots, free extremes or three -dimensional elements."The document also recommends using these products under the supervision of an adult.

It is not advisable to use masks in children under 3 years, since there is a risk of suffocation.

Those over 3 years and up to 12 years of age should opt for the one that best suits their size depending on the normally available sizes:

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6. How to know if the mask is adjusted correctly

When taking a mask it is important to detect if it is properly adequate.Since it will only be effective if the air can only enter through the filter.

To achieve this, it is recommended that you look for the size and model that best suits you.

Beyond this, to know if a mask fits well some of the recommended tips include checking the following aspects:

7. What is the best fabric to make a homemade mask

A homemade mask will be less effective.Despite this, it will always be better than wearing the face discovered.

In this regard, the University of Chicago has studied the effectiveness of certain common tissues to filter aerosols similar to respiratory droplets.

According to the findings provided to the American chemistry society (ACS), a combination of cotton with natural silk or chifón can effectively filter these particles.

Other recommended materials to make a homemade mask are:

On the other hand, fabrics such as linen, silk or scarves have less effectiveness and should not be used.

8. How long does a mask last

As for the durability of a mask there are two types, reusable and disposable.

As the name implies, they are disposable only for use and must be thrown once used.Of this type are for example are those provided in public transport.

Recommendations for this class indicate that its use should not extend to more than 4 hours, for hygienic reasons and should be withdrawn whenever you notice wet.

As for the reusable masks, they are worth different uses, but you will have to be correctly disinfected so as not to lose efficacy.

9. Disinfect the mask correctly is crucial to remain effective

If you have a reusable mask you can carry this more than once.

But even if this is an advantage and a more sustainable measure than disposable ones, it needs to be correctly disinfected to continue ensuring protection.

To do this, there are several effective methods to clean a mask.

In the washing machine, using a usual cycle, normal detergent and water at a temperature between 60º and 90º.

10. Where the disposable masks are thrown

When eliminating disposable masks, these must be deposited in the remains container, never paper.It is advisable to be locked inside a bag.

The gloves also have to be eliminated in the remains container and never in yellow, relative to plastics.

11. How to detect that a mask is false

The Khaleej Times half published two tricks to check if a mask is effective:

1. Verter un poco de agua sobre la máscara y sostenerla en el aire, "si es original, no habrá fugas".
2. Ponértela y soplar a un mechero que esté a varios centímetros, en caso de que se logre apagarlo no será una máscara original.

Beyond these tips, the most recommended in the face of any type of doubt is to request information from the manufacturer or seller.

To make sure that the acquired masks are reliable and comply with the protection standards, the indicated thing is to go to pharmacies or trust establishments.

12. How to correctly put on a mask

The way to carry the mask correctly includes that it covers the nose and mouth and fits well to the face.

When placing it, it is appropriate to wash your hands before and then hold this only one of the elastic or gums.Pass these behind the ears or head, depending on the type of grip avoiding touching the mask.

While you are wearing, never touch the external part of the mask, since you could infect your hands if they contain viral particles.It also avoids at all times touching your face.

13. How to take your mask safely

The same or more important is to correctly remove the mask.

To safely withdraw your hands before, take it out of the rubbers and discard it is in a closed bag.You never touch the outer face of it.

Then I will wash my hands well with soap and water.

13. How to prevent the glasses from tarnishing when wearing a mask

Wearing a mask using glasses can be a bass, since it is possible that these are frequently tarnished by the hot air that escapes the upper part.

To avoid this, as Enrique Fernández said in a previous article there are some methods that you can put into practice:

It is important that you do not try to take off your glasses or retire the mask because in this way you could end up touching your face running the risk of infecting you.

14. Tricks to avoid squeezing the mask's rubbers

Wearing a mask can be uncomfortable, especially if done for a long time.In the long run, the rubber can end up bothering and even generating chafing in the ears.

To avoid this, ingenious tricks have begun to emerge.

For example, the idea that Hayley Alden had, a 22 -year -old girl resident in the city of Victor (New York, United States), was to hook the mask to some buttons sewn in a headband, thus releasing the ears of it.

In a computer article today they also announce other artimañan they, such as joining the rubbers behind the head thanks to a clips row, using a rubber with hooks and even printing a 3D mold designed to prevent the rubber from being heldIn the ears.