With a highly contagious virus seeping across the globe, wearing a face mask as we go about our day to day lives has become a norm. With manycontroversial debates and conversations about the effectiveness of a mask preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, who should wear it and when to wearit we have complied a few reasons why wearing a mask is of utmost importance.

It promotes good hygiene, in general

Most people in the healthcare industry wear masks on the regular to help protect themselves against germs and illnesses as well as to prevent their own germs from spreading. Therefore, wearing a mask, especially during a high- risk situation is a smart practice.

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It can protect other people

The Corona Virus spreads through respiratory droplets spread by an infected person who coughs, sneezes or talks. If a person with the virus is wearing a mask, the chances of the mask acting as a barrier and stopping these germs from spreading to another person are quite high.

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It can protect you

Even though masks are more effective in preventing a sick person from spreading their germs, it can also block the virus from transmitting on to you. This is most effective when the mask is worn properly covering both the mouth and nose.

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You could be asymptomatic

Some people could be carriers of the virus without showing a single symptom. When wearing a mask in public regularly, you reduce the risk of spreading the virus to another person, just in case you are a carrier without any symptoms.

How to wear your mask properly?

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before handling your mask.
• Remove mask from packing and inspect to make sure that there are no tears or holes.
• Figure out the top and the bottom of the mask according to the package instructions.
• If your mask has a loop, hold the loops and put each one around each ear.
• If your mask has a band, hold mask to your nose, tighten nose area, then pull the top strap over the crown of the head and the bottom over the head so it sits at the nape of your neck.
• Pull mask over your chin

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References:

https://www.sciencealert.com/face-masks

https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/why-you-should-wear-a-mask

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/reasons-for-masks.html

https://blog.universalmedicalinc.com/wearing-face-mask-important/