14/04/2020
From the University of Washington
Coronavirus: What You Need to Know
What to Know About Face Masks
Should healthy people wear a mask?
Yes, in certain situations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you wear a cloth mask or face covering when you’re out in public and can’t follow social distancing guidelines. For example, if you’re going to one of our clinics for an in-person healthcare appointment or to the grocery store, where it may be difficult to maintain 6 feet of distance from others, you’ll want to wear a mask. If you’re going on a walk outside where no one else is around, on the other hand, you may not need to wear one. Children who are 2 and younger should not wear face coverings.
What’s the point of wearing a mask?
Wearing a mask isn’t just for your benefit — it’s to help protect those around you. New evidence shows that the coronavirus can be spread just by talking or breathing, even when you seem healthy. So if you’re infected and don’t know it, wearing a mask when you’re in public can prevent you from unknowingly spreading the virus. Mask or no mask, it’s still important to stay at home as much as possible, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face and maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
What type of mask should you wear?
The CDC suggests wearing cloth masks that cover your nose and mouth. Ideally, masks should be made from at least two layers of a tightly woven fabric that’s breathable and washable, like cotton. If you’re unable to make a mask at home, you can also use a bandana or scarf as a face covering. Please do not purchase N95, surgical or other medical-grade masks for your personal use. Healthcare workers need these masks for their protection when they’re caring for you and others in the community.
What’s the proper way to wear a mask?
Before you put on your mask, wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer. With clean hands, cover your nose and mouth with the mask and secure it, making sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Once your mask is on, it’s important not to touch the front of your mask. Refrain from adjusting or pulling down the front of your mask while you’re wearing it, and remember not to touch your face. When you’re ready to take your mask off, remove it from behind by loosening the ear loops or ties and pulling it away from your face. Put your used mask in a dedicated laundry bag and immediately clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer.
How can you clean a used mask?
Cloth masks or face coverings should be washed after each use. Clean them using hot, soapy water — either by hand or in a washing machine — then on a hot cycle in the dryer. Disposable masks should not be used more than once.
“We are cautiously optimistic that we are seeing that flattening of the curve. At the same time, we know that we are prepared. We hope we don’t need to use this preparedness, but if we do, we have it.”
— Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics, in her update to the community
The Latest
Update: UW Medicine is beginning coronavirus testing for all patients who are staying overnight at our hospitals, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. Learn about other steps we’re taking to protect the community.
• Schedule a video-based appointment using UW Medicine Telehealth Services.
• Discover how to donate masks and other equipment to our frontline workers.
• Have more questions? Use our COVID-19 virtual assistant or information line.
• Learn the right way to practice social distancing to help save lives.
• Find out what to know about COVID-19 if you’re pregnant.
From Univ of Washington
