{"id":20,"date":"2020-07-07T15:49:17","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T15:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cocodentalcenter.com\/blog\/?p=20"},"modified":"2025-04-02T02:24:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T02:24:32","slug":"covid-19-pandemic-wear-face-mask-dos-donts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cocodentalcenter.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/07\/covid-19-pandemic-wear-face-mask-dos-donts\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Correctly Wear a Face Mask"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When a person is sick with COVID-19, it can take anywhere from two to 14 days for symptoms to start showing according to the CDC<\/a>. This means that someone can spread the coronavirus to those around them for days or weeks before beginning to feel ill. If you can potentially be contagious with this dangerous sickness without realizing it, how can you protect the people you interact with in public places like the grocery store or coffee shop? One of the most important ways you can help stop the spread of germs during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a> is to properly wear a face mask\u2014read on to find out how!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Do Face Masks Protect Against COVID-19?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

COVID-19 is primarily spread through infected respiratory\ndroplets that are dispersed when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. If\nthese particles come in contact with another person\u2019s nose, mouth, or eyes,\nCOVID-19 can be transmitted. Additionally, these infected droplets can also\nsettle onto surrounding surfaces, like handrails, doorknobs, or countertops,\nwhere they can survive for hours or days at a time. Touching a contaminated\nsurface will transfer these germs to your hands, which can then easily be\nintroduced to your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since most face masks don\u2019t form an air-tight seal, social\ndistancing is still the best way to protect yourself from the coronavirus.\nHowever, wearing a facemask prevents a sick person from spreading infected\nparticles very far, which plays a key role in protecting the people around\nthem. Even if you don\u2019t feel sick, wearing a facemask may be able to keep others\nfrom getting sick. Additionally, it serves as an important reminder not to\ntouch your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Right Way to Wear a Face Mask<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A face mask can only help prevent the spread of germs when worn\ncorrectly, so be sure to follow these steps: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20-30
    seconds before touching your mask. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Pick up the mask by its ear loops, elastic
    bands, or strings, being careful not to touch any other part of the mask. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Position the mask over your face. Always face
    the blue side or \u201couter layer\u201d away from your mouth. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Attach the mask to you head with the ear loops,
    elastic bands, or strings. If your mask has a bendable metal strip above the
    nose, mold it to your face for a tighter fit. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Check to make sure your mask is fully covering
    both your mouth and nose. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    What to Avoid When Wearing a Mask<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Since infected particles can accumulate on parts of your\nmask, keep these precautions in mind while wearing one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n