Phone, keys, wallet…..MASK

We all have the check-list we run down as we head out the door. In the times before COVID (BC) my list consisted of just the first three items. Lately, I dare NOT step out of the house without my mask. It’s become our most essential fashion accessory.

If you do forget your mask and somehow end up outside without it, The unforgiving glares from the general public should be enough of a reminder but if that doesn’t do it, there are multiple reminders from businesses that basically say, I’m paraphrasing here, No mask, No service.

Yet still, some people question whether face covering is necessary.
Yes, yes it is. Don’t let anyone tell you different. This disease is spread by droplets which can get airborne and travel to the next victim. There’s ongoing research that suggests these micro droplets can stay airborne for a few hours. So please, definitely wear your mask.

When someone talks, coughs, or sneezes they may release tiny drops into the air. If they are sick, these droplets will carry germs that can infect others. Face masks help limit the spread of germs in two ways. If someone is sick, the mask will reduce the number of germs that the sick person releases. A healthy person wearing a mask is also protected from splashes or sprays of body fluids.

There are a good number of people who are symptomatic or in the pre-symptomatic stage who, despite being infected, will show no signs of COVID and could be spreading it. This is the part in the movie where the host is unaware of the evil residing inside. And guess what? This time, you could very well be the host! Wearing a mask is a civic duty and a sign of great love protecting those around you from your insidious germs. It also protects you from having to live with the guilt from knowing you killed grandma.

So how to wear face covering correctly:
1) Wash your hands before putting on your face covering.
2) Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
3) Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face.
4) Make sure you can breathe easily.

Now that the mask is on, here are a few dont’s:
1) Don’t touch your face covering. Imagine the outside is chock-full of the germs it has trapped. If you do touch it, wash your hands or disinfect with hand sanitizer.
2) Don’t pull it up over your nose (it’s not a headband/blindfold), don’t pull it just underneath your nose (it’s not a mouth guard) don’t pull it under your chin (it’s not a chin-strap)
3) Don’t let the mask fool you into a false sense of security. Maintain the 6-feet social distancing rules and wash your hands often. This means you still canNOT go to a house party with 30 of your closest friends.
4) Children under the age of two need not wear a mask.

One particularly vexing problem for me is the issue of mask wearing making my glasses fog up.

Why do our glasses fog up? Well, that’s simple condensation. Our warm breath escapes through the top edges, lands on our lenses which are significantly cooler and creates condensation on the surface leading to foggy glasses.

There are a few options to stop this:
1) Mold the mask to your face. Some masks (especially the medical ones) have an in-built wire that you can mold along your the bridge of your nose.
2) Ensure a tight fit. Adjust the ties or ear loops so the mask fits snugly across your face. Ideally, most of your breath should be going through the mask not around it.
3) Ask gravity for help. Pull up your mask over the bridge of your nose (while making sure its still covering your chin) and let the glasses rest on top of the mask. Here, we’re using the weight of the glasses to block the air. This is my go to move for everyday wear but I’ve found that it’s efficacy depends on the style and shape of the glasses.
4) Tape your mask. I saw medical students do this to their goggles during my clinical rotations. Create a seal along the top of the mask with athletic or medical tape. Avoid using duct tape or packing tape that might irritate your skin.

Speaking of skin irritations, one phenomenon I’ve been hearing a lot of complaints about is “maskne”. Yup, mask + acne = “maskne”. Think we can make “maskne” a new word for 2020? Daily mask wearing is leading to perioral dermatitis, acne around the mouth and nose area. “Maskne” Prevention starts with washing your face twice daily and avoiding heavy moisturizers or make up in that area that is covered by the mask. If you must use products, make sure they are noncomedogenic (not pore-blocking) and wait 15 minutes before putting the mask on.

And now that you’ve survived a day of mask wearing, here’s how to take off, doff, your mask:
1) Untie the strings behind your head of stretch the ear loops.
2) Handle only by the ear loops.
3) Fold the outside corners together.
4) Set aside to wash or toss in trash if you’re wearing a disposable mask.
5) Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing.

If you’re wearing a face mask everyday to prevent the spread of this virus, you should expect to keep it sanitary. The easy way would be to purchase a pack of disposable masks and dispose of them in the trash (like a responsible human). Not on the street, collecting in your purse or near the trash can. I’ve already started seeing images of mask littering and frankly, I’m disappointed.

Alternatively, if you opted for a cloth face covering, then treat your mask like you would your underwear and wash after each use.

How to clean:

Washing Machine

• Include with regular laundry.
• Use regular laundry detergent and warmest water setting appropriate for the cloth used to make the face covering.

Hand Washing

• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

• 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water or
• 4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water

• Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
• Soak the face covering in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

Toss in dryer to completely dry or lay flat and allow to dry (in sunlight if possible).

There are a small minority protesting against the use of the masks; just like seatbelts were protested against in 1984. There is an ornery personality trait in people that makes them resist any and everything-even if it’s good for them. But in Titus, we are reminded:

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. Titus 3:1-2NIV 

The authorities on this issue-the CDC, the WHO, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) all advocate for the wearing of face coverings in public. Wear it peaceably. This virus is insidious; assume you are an asymptomatic host and show consideration for all men by covering your nose and mouth. Wearing a face covering is an act of love so let’s love one another and keep each other safe-Wear Your Mask.