Our Top 5 Tips & Facts About Face Masks

With COVID-19 sadly making a bit of a come back, masks have become the hot topic. We decided to do some thorough research and put together some of the most relevant information and facts about face masks so that everyone can get informed.

Here are our top 5 tips and facts about face masks:

Face Masks have been used throughout history - Face masks have been used for hundreds of years for good reason. The first pictures of people wearing masks are from the early modern age where doctors were treating patients from the bubonic plague while wearing beak like masks. Come the turn of the 20th century masks became more widespread as doctors became aware of their benefits. In 1897 hygienist Carl Friedrich Flügge published works about how masks can help in protection against droplet infections such as tuberculosis. You can find out more about the history here. 

When and why you should wear a face mask - As recommended in the Australian Government “Be Covid Safe” release, wearing a face mask is an important precaution particularly if you are in a region where community transmission is occurring. Face masks are also a critical part of your protection in places where physical distancing is difficult to maintain such as public transport or busy shopping centres. As shown in the info graphic below masks are there to protect others as well as yourself.There is evidence proving the effectiveness of masks, you can find out more here.

How to wear your mask - How your mask fits as well the action of putting it on and taking it off are all very important things to know about. Your mask should fit snugly over your nose, mouth and chin. Before you put on your mask ensure that you have washed or sanitise your hands. Do the same before you take off your mask. If you are planning to wear your masks again, place it into a sanitary plastic bag to avoid contamination. While wearing your mask it also important to make sure you don’t touch your mask.

Face mask care - If you are using a reusable mask it is essential that you take proper care of your mask so that it can remain effective. It is recommended by the DHHS that you wash your mask every day. Hand wash it in detergent and allow the mask to fully dry by either using a heated dryer or laying it flat in the sunshine. It is very important that you allow your masks to completely dry, if it becomes damp the mask can easily build up germs and become contaminated.

Continue practising other precautions - Wearing a mask is by no means a substitute to practising other precautions. If you are sick you need to stay home and away from others and it is important to continue practising social distancing by staying 1.5m away from others whenever possible. Lastly we all need to continue to be vigilant by washing our hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer regularly.

We hope this gave everyone a clearer picture of the benefits of masks and how best to wear and care for them.

Shop our face mask range here.