During a pandemic, everyone must maintain their own health. More specifically, the government has provided standard health protocols that must be obeyed by all people, namely frequent hand washing, wearing a mask when leaving the house, and staying away from crowds or what we often hear as physical distancing .
The directions for using masks must be according to standards. We often meet people who don't wear masks or use masks but don't do it the right way. Before the pandemic, masks were only used at certain times, for example when people were sick or masks were used by medical and paramedical workers treating patients. However, at the present time masks are indeed an obligation as well as a patent requirement for everyone. Now masks have two important functions that cannot be separated, namely preventing people from contracting the disease and at the same time preventing people from transmitting the disease.
Here's a guide on how to use the right mask:
- Before putting on the mask, wash your hands with soap and running water or if not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Attach the mask to cover the mouth and nose and make sure there are no gaps between the face and the mask.
- Avoid touching the mask during use; if touched, wash hands with soap and running water or if not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Replace wet or damp masks with new masks. Medical masks may only be used once. Cloth masks can be washed and used repeatedly. For cloth masks, choose masks with cotton material that absorbs sweat quickly and doesn't get hot. Replace every 4 hours.
- To open the mask: remove it from behind. Don't touch the front of the mask; For 1x use masks, throw them away immediately in a closed trash can or plastic bag. For cloth masks, wash immediately with detergent. After that, wash your hands again with soap or use a hand sanitizer.
Written by dr. Marsella, Dipl. AAAM ( EMC Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Center at EMC Sentul Hospital).