Post created by Megan
How often does your mask get cleaned or switched out? All I hear from day to day is wear a mask and social distance. How much does a mask do if you've been wearing the same one for weeks on end. Ideally we should wash the mask every time it comes off our face. These masks we are wearing over and over again and are covered in bacteria from our skin, our breath, and especially our hands.
In an article from the Cleveland Clinic on Infectious Disease, Dr.Vyas describes a possibility of getting sick from an infected mask. Dr. Vyas says Bacteria and Viruses can live up to 10 hours on cloth materials. This can be a problem when we do not wash our masks between each exposure to the outside world. Health officials have made it clear that they believe wearing masks is the best solution for this pandemic yet, what many of us are missing is the need for clean masks. Dr. Vyas connects wearing a dirty mask to individuals that have gotten a sore throat. Dirty masks make the situation worse. When breathing in the virus or bacteria that may be on our mask and as well as the possibility of contracting it from someone at the grocery store, the probability of getting sick drastically increases.
We know that touching surfaces and clothing can transmit many bacteria. The best option is to wash your hands after coming in contact with anything outside of your house. Avoid touching your face, your mask and make sure to wear a clean face covering when leaving the house. As Dr.Vyas said about wearing masks, Though it may be a hassle to some people, it is important to continue to wear clean masks to prevent the spread of disease.
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, Infectious Disease September 2020
Image from: Loma Linda University Health
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