Here’s how to properly wear a mask and keep it clean
San Luis Obispo County Public Health Office Penny Borenstein said that she has had many questions about how to properly wear a mask to best prevent a coronavirus infection.
At Wednesday’s press conference, Borenstein demonstrated the proper way to handle a protective face covering and keep it clean.
Using a homemade mask made at the SLO County Sheriff’s Office Honor Farm, Borenstein said it’s important to grab the edges or strap ends and not the section that covers the face or the side that faces out.
“I want that front side not to be as dirty as if I were touching it, or messing with it, or just had lunch and then picked up the mask,” Borenstein said. “You don’t want to keep it in your pocket or your purse. You want to keep it in a clean place.”
Borenstein said you then should place the straps around the ears, pull it down over your chin, and pinch the nose area.
When you’re done, you should also be careful to only handle the straps and then ends, and place the mask in a clean, brown paper bag — to preserve the condition. Before handling the straps to take a mask on or off, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap.
A mask shouldn’t be left dangling around one’s ear or under the chin for best cleanliness habits, Borenstein said.
Before storing the mask away, Borenstein recommended inspecting the inside for saliva, mucus, sweat, or tears, and washing it if it’s dirty.
San Luis Obispo County Public Health officials now recommend residents wear masks when they leave their homes and go places where it’s difficult to maintain distance from others.
This doesn’t change the need for sheltering at home and physical distancing in an effort to avoid contracting COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus.
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