A lot of people have COVID-19 and don't know it.
And a lot of other people who get sick take up to 14 days to feel sick.
So when people aren't wearing masks, they might be spreading COVID-19 without knowing it.
One of the easiest things people can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is to wear a cloth face cover or a mask.
Why?
Masks protect other people from inhaling our droplets that naturally escape when we breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze.
Here’s what you need.
A cloth face cover or mask.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money.
Many stores sell them.
Your face cover or mask should have a few layers of fabric that still let you breathe easily.
Now remember to leave the surgical masks or N95 respirators for health care workers. Okay?
Oh, and one other mask to avoid: masks with valves.
Most of them are filtering out dust you might breathe in.
They do not filter germs you breathe out.
Now, here's how to wear your face cover or mask.
First, wash your hands before putting it on.
Put it over your nose, mouth, and chin. Like this.
Not this.
If your nose is poking out, it's still blowing droplets everywhere.
Gross!
It's as if you're not wearing a mask at all.
So not this, and definitely not this.
Like this.
Try to get a snug fit on both sides of your face.
And make sure you can breathe easily.
If you wear glasses, here's a tip.
Put your glasses on the top of the fabric at the bridge of your nose.
This keeps your breath from fogging up the lenses.
So while we're talking about breathing, maybe you've heard the rumor about 'trapped' carbon dioxide?
Think about how all the nurses and doctors wear their medical masks for hours and hours without any breathing issues.
You can do this.
When you’re home, take off your face cover using the loops or ties.
Don’t touch your nose, eyes, or mouth when you’re removing it.
Fold the outside corners of the face cover together.
And then be sure to wash it.
Of course, if you use single-use paper masks, throw them away in a trash can.
And after you take off your face cover, always wash your hands.
You may not like wearing a mask or face cover, but remember that my mask protects you.
And your mask protects me.
And their masks protect you.
Just like your mask protects them.
It’s as simple as that.
