Common, Face Mask Mistakes, and How to Fix Them.<br />According to a 2020 study by Signs.com, people are making<br />the same mistakes when wearing their face masks.<br />Here are six common mask mistakes and<br />advice from experts on how to fix them. .<br />1. You aren’t washing your<br />hands before and after putting on <br />and taking off your mask.<br />Washing hands prior to putting a mask on<br />avoids any contaminants to get on the mask.<br />When removing a mask, and putting it in the<br />laundry after one use, it is important to wash<br />hands to assure that no contaminants or<br />infections are transferred to the hands, Rashid Chotani, Epidemiologist, via Huffpost.<br />2. You’re reusing a<br />disposable mask. .<br />Disposable masks should be worn for a<br />single day, and then tossed, as they quickly<br />break down the ability to filter particles,<br />carry microorganisms and become soiled, Jagdish Khubchandani, Public Health Professor<br />at New Mexico State University, via Huffpost.<br />3. You’re washing<br />your disposable mask.<br />Disposable masks are intended for<br />single use … Once they get wet, or have<br />moisture, their effectiveness to protect<br />you is diminished. The fibers break down and<br />will not be able to protect you as much, Teresa Bartlett, Sedgwick Senior Medical Adviser, via Huffpost.<br />4. You aren’t washing<br />your reusable mask.<br />Washing will ensure that the mask remains<br />hygienic and functional in preventing us from<br />spreading our fluids … not washing reusable<br />masks will diminish their functionality, Gan Eng Cern, Physician and ENT Surgeon, via Huffpost.<br />5. You aren’t covering<br />your nose and mouth<br />with your mask.<br />A lot of people will wear their masks<br />pulled down, exposing either their nose,<br />or their entire face … This completely takes<br />away the benefits of wearing a mask, Dr. Mark Fischer, via Huffpost.<br />6. You’re not storing<br />your mask correctly.<br />Have a safe spot that’s far from other<br />people in your home, and be deliberate<br />with how you put a mask on ― wash your<br />hands or sanitize, only touch the straps.<br />The same goes for removing your mask, Chris Xu, Immunologist, via Huffpost
