Reducing your COVID-19 risk: Best practices for face masks and coverings [Video] | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Reducing your COVID-19 risk: Best practices for face masks and coverings [Video]
Areas where the use of face masks are universally followed have seen fewer spikes in COVID-19 cases.
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Areas where the use of face masks are universally followed have seen fewer spikes in COVID-19 cases. In the latest "From the Frontlines" video, Dr. Stephanie Reznick shares mask etiquette tips.
Watch this latest episode of Oscar’s “From the Frontlines” series.
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Video | COVID-19 Mask Etiquette
Video Transcript
"Hi everyone, I'm Dr. Stephanie Camaglia Reznick. I'm a board certified internist and one of the medical directors for virtual care here at Oscar.
In today's segment on COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, I'd like to discuss masks. This is a very important issue especially with cases spiking throughout the country.
I'd like to discuss the different types of masks that you may see or hear about. First is the cloth mask. This is the kind that you can make at home either with a t-shirt or other fabric or buy from a variety of retailers. This is the type of mask that is recommended that everyone wear to help prevent the spread of the virus, however, it does not necessarily protect you from catching the virus. I'll get back to this point in a little bit.
The second kind of mask you might see is the surgical mask. It's the classic blue surgeon's mask that you might see in the operating room on various TV shows. It's good at protecting the wearer and those around the wearer from droplets which is the main way we think that COVID-19 is spread. Due to shortages, we are currently reserving these masks for health care workers and others dealing directly with sick patients who have COVID-19.
Another type of mask or respirator in this case is called the N95. It's a very tight fitting mask that protects against something called aerosols. Tuberculosis is a well-known infection that spreads by aerosols. It is thought that patients with COVID-19 who are undergoing certain procedures such as having a breathing tube placed may spread the virus through aerosols. This is why N95s are generally reserved for healthcare professionals particularly those who may be performing such procedures.
Finally you might hear of KN95s. These are like N95 masks but they're certified in China. The FDA put out a statement saying that the masks might not perform as well as we hope or expect them to so some caution is advised.
Many patients are asking "if I'm not afraid of catching the coronavirus and I don't have symptoms, why should I wear a mask?" Well, it's thought that about half of coronavirus cases are caused or transmitted by a patient who had no symptoms at the time that they spread the virus so you might not be coughing or sneezing but still passing on the infection. A cloth mask helps to prevent you from spreading the infection which can go into the air, not just from coughing and sneezing, but from talking and breathing as well.
While you might not be worried or at high risk, it's hard to tell by just looking at someone if they are at high risk. Ideally everyone at high risk will isolate but that's not always practical. Some people who are at high risk have to continue to work for financial reasons or have to run essential errands because no one is available to do so for them. This is why many organizations are strongly encouraging everyone to wear a mask when going out in public.
Please keep in mind that wearing a mask does not replace the need for social distancing but it becomes even more important in times in which you cannot social distance, with social distancing meaning staying six feet away from others not in your household.
Another aspect of masks that I want to address is the myth that it can cause carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide poisoning. First, keep in mind that carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxygen are all much smaller than the size of the virus, therefore, these gas particles can go in and out through the mask pores much more easily than the virus. Carbon monoxide is not made by the human body — it is in fact a byproduct of various uses of fuel such as a car or a generator. Therefore, wearing a mask cannot possibly cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of human breathing but you can't get carbon dioxide poisoning and like I said both carbon dioxide and oxygen can move freely through a mask so please don't be afraid to wear a mask for this reason.
Of note, a wet mask will cling to your skin and that will make it harder as it will start to obstruct your nose and mouth. This is when you can't breathe well so never wear a wet mask.
Next, I'd like to discuss how to put on and take off a mask. When putting on a mask, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When putting on a mask, make sure it goes on top of your nose and underneath your chin and rest comfortably on the sides of your face. You don't want it to be too loose but you want to be able to breathe comfortably. When taking off the mask, make sure only to touch the ear loops or the ties behind the head. Once you take off the mask and put it in an area for it to be laundered or cleaned, you want to wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. Make sure during this process not to touch your face especially your eyes, mouth and nose.
To wash your mask, you can launder it with your other clothing and other laundry. Try to use the highest water temperature setting available that is safe for the fabric as well as the safest drying temperature that is safe for the fabric.
If you're hand washing the mask, you need to make a bleach solution. You can combine five tablespoons of bleach and one gallon of room temperature water or four teaspoons of bleach and four cups (which is one quart) of room temperature water. Make sure to check the label of the bleach as certain specialty bleaches such as color safe bleach might not be as good at killing the coronavirus as regular old bleach. Soak the mask in this mixture for five minutes then lay it out to dry. Ideally if you can lay it out to dry in direct sunlight, that's the best as the UV rays will help to kill and deactivate the virus.
Finally, I'd like to end with some general tips on masks. I recommend that:
Keep a clean mask in your glove compartment or your purse or back pocket that way if you forget to bring a mask you have a clean one available or if the mask becomes dirtied or wet, you have a new one available as well.
Keep multiple clean masks on hand so you have options until you're able to launder or clean the dirtied masks.
If you have children and they're having difficulty wearing a mask, I recommend you have them practice at home so they get used to it. If they still won't wear the mask all the time while out, try to prioritize wearing the mask during the higher risk situations in which you can't necessarily social distance six feet such as if you're going to be carpooling or if the child will be going on the bus to school in the fall."
Video published 2020-07-25
This content does not constitute medical advice and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, including diagnosis or treatment. Contact your physician with any questions you may have regarding COVID-19 or your personal health. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
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