Scientists advising the Government are calling for a national campaign to educate the public on the best way to use face masks and coverings.
They’ve observed commuters unwittingly using face masks and coverings incorrectly, putting themselves and others at risk.
The official Govt. advice on wearing a face covering
A cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably. It can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.
Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose. Once removed, make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched.
You should wash a face covering regularly. It can go in with other laundry, using your normal detergent.
The scientists are saying a bit more
Don’t pull the coverings below your nose. You could be breathing in contamination from the outside of the mask.
Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose. The front of used masks could be contaminated, meaning that removing them incorrectly could spread coronavirus to the your fingers and and then on to other surfaces.
Remove face masks by holding the straps behind the ears.
Once removed place them into a plastic bag. Fold them outside in.
Take them home – to be disposed of if single use, or tip cloth masks (etc.) straight into hot soapy water to be washed.
You should have more than one mask, and carry small plastic bags out with you. One is for a clean mask and one is for the dirty mask.
Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitiser whilst out and about.
Got symptoms – get a test
Everyone in the UK with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms can get a test. The UK is now managing to perform 230,000 tests a day. If you have a new continuous cough, high temperature, and a loss of or change in your normal sense of smell or taste visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus to book a test.
Better fitting face mask patterns
My resident sewing person (pictured at the top) has now made two dozen shaped masks for friends and neighbours. She got the pattern, which is available in different sizes, from the prettyhandygirl website.