APRIL FOOLS’ DAY: Mask-Wearing Recommendations

So, it’s been a year now since the outbreak of COVID-19 and it has become almost completely normal to grab a mask before leaving the house. However, there are many different mask styles out there that I’ve come across in this year of mask wearing. From gas masks to snorkeling gear and the infamous blue surgical mask, you never know what you’re going to find. Now there are also a ton of different ways to wear these masks in order to get the safest fit and spread the least number of germs possible. I feel as if now is a good time to reiterate on how to properly wear a blue surgical mask.  

The first thing you’re going to want to do is grab a mask and place the loops over your ears with the blue side facing outward and the white side pressed against your face. A popular way to wear a mask would be what I like to call the Nose Peaker. This is very fitting for those who breathe from their nose and want to maximize breathing ability. The mask is positioned over the mouth yet just below the nostrils, allowing a little more air flow. 

Another effective way to wear the mask is known as the Chinstrap. Here the mask is pulled down, covering only their chin. This style leaves the mouth and nose fully exposed making it very easy to breathe, whether you’re a mouth or nose breather. The Chinstrap is commonly found within areas where masks are mandatory, yet people don’t want to wear them. The Chinstrap is probably the most effective way to prevent spreading and receiving of COVID-19. 

The least effective way to wear your mask is what we call Full Coverage. Full Coverage is where the mask sits over the mouth, nose, and eyes, leaving room for no air flow. This method has very low visibility and low breathability yet a high germ rate. I strongly advise not wearing your mask this way if you want to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and end this global pandemic.