With so many members in our community wearing masks, we believe it is important to understand how to put on and take off a face mask to reduce cross contamination and exposure.
As always, unless you are a health care provider, you should not be wearing gloves in public and using those gloves to remove and put on your mask.
How to put on a face mask:
- Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the mask.
- Remove mask from the box or stored container.
- Determine which side of the mask is the top. The side that has a stiff bendable edge is the top and is meant to mold to the shape of your nose.
- Face mask with ear loops or rubber bands: hold the mask by the loops, do not touch the mask and place a loop around each ear.
- Face mask with ties: bring the mask to your nose level and place the ties over the crown of your head and secure with a bow tie.
How to remove a face mask:
- Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before removing mask.
- Avoid touching the center of the mask.
- Only touch ear loops, bands or ties to remove mask.
- Wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer after removing mask.
Author
South Lake Pain Institute
