A: Awesome job wearing a mask! We know it’s a new habit and not always comfortable. Masks are effective in trapping droplets capable of spreading Covid-19. If we all wear one, we can greatly reduce the spread of the virus. Step one is committing to mask wearing. They all provide some level of protection. Step two is fine tuning mask wearing to ensure a good fit. Step three is keeping a mask close and wearing it any time you are in public or around people who do not live with you. Here are a few tips:
1) Avoid masks with valves: Masks with valves were designed to keep the wearer from breathing in harmful particles, like air pollution and construction dust. They were not designed to contain the germs of the wearer. Masks with valves allow the breath and particles of the wearer to escape the mask, making them not great for virus containment. Please avoid masks with valves. (see photos for examples)
2) Try a bunch of masks out to find one that works for you. You are far more likely to wear a mask if it fits well and stays in place. There is a mask out there for everyone. It’s worth finding one you like. Ok, like may be too strong of a word. Find one you don’t completely despise.
3) Masks with the following features provide the best germ containment: Non-woven fabrics, a nose piece to allow for a better seal, and multiple layer woven masks. Keep these features in mind when choosing your mask. Check out this video made by Dr. Scott Sanders, an engineer from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, testing a variety of masks for their germ blocking capabilities.
Good habits can be hard to make. Keep at it and enlist the involvement of your peers and networks.
