The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has eased some mask-wearing guidelines for vaccinated individuals, but the importance of wearing masks remains paramount in many public settings across the country, especially for the unvaccinated.
Research published in a June 2020 analysis in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences underscores the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, the efficacy of masks hinges on proper usage. For those who are unvaccinated, improper mask-wearing habits or mishandling of masks can pose risks to both themselves and others.
To shed light on common face-mask mistakes and how to avoid them, we consulted experts in aerobiology, infectious disease, and public health to outline best practices for wearing face coverings and identify areas where we may be falling short.
Mistake 1: Skipping the Mask
According to the CDC guidelines, individuals aged 2 and older who are not vaccinated should wear a cloth face covering when in public settings outside their own household. Exceptions are made for fully vaccinated individuals in certain situations where mask-wearing is not required.
“It’s especially crucial in high-risk environments where maintaining social distance is challenging,” says Dr. Kate Grabowski, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University. The CDC emphasizes that wearing a mask serves as a barrier, preventing respiratory droplets from spreading to others or becoming airborne. Given that COVID-19 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets or aerosols, close proximity increases the risk of transmission, as highlighted in a September 2020 review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Tip
Remember, unvaccinated people should wear masks even if they don’t feel sick: 40 percent of people with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, never show symptoms of the illness, per the CDC.
The potential for airborne transmission is of particular concern in enclosed, crowded, or poorly ventilated spaces, as noted in a July 2020 commentary in Clinical Infectious Diseases by over 200 scientists. While cloth masks may not completely eliminate viral emissions, Dr. Donald K. Milton, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, emphasizes that widespread mask usage coupled with proper ventilation significantly reduces exposure and lowers the risk of infection.
Kendra McMillan, a senior policy advisor at the American Nurses Association, underscores the importance of carrying a mask at all times when traveling outside. “Incorporating mask-wearing into your routine while out and about is essential,” she adds, likening it to carrying essentials like keys and a phone.
Mistake 2: Wearing a Mask That Doesn’t Fit
It’s a common sight these days: people wearing masks with their noses exposed or masks slipping down as they talk. To ensure proper protection, it’s crucial to cover your nose, mouth, and chin when wearing a mask.
According to Kendra McMillan, ensuring a proper fit is essential. “It shouldn’t be so tight that it’s difficult to breathe, but it should fit snugly against your face to stay in place,” she advises.
The CDC emphasizes that wearing a well-fitted mask can increase its effectiveness by up to 95 percent. Achieving a tighter fit can be done by layering a cloth mask over a surgical mask, knotting the ear loops, tucking in the sides of your surgical mask, or using a mask fitter or nylon covering over your mask.
Mistake 3: Touching or Tugging at Your Mask
It’s important to remember that the primary purpose of wearing a mask is to prevent the spread of infection to others. Constantly pulling off your mask defeats this purpose entirely, according to Grabowski. She emphasizes that removing your mask and then coughing or speaking can potentially spread COVID-19.
Keeping your face covering in place helps limit the amount of virus you emit into the environment. Additionally, touching the front of the mask can pose a risk to the wearer. If the outer surface has been exposed to viral particles and you touch the mask and then your face, you could potentially infect yourself, Grabowski warns.
Mistake 4: Skipping Soap and Water (or Hand Sanitizer)
Before wearing your mask, it’s advised by the CDC to wash your hands. If you touch your mask while you’re out, it’s recommended to wash your hands again. When dining out and needing to remove your mask to eat, it’s important to have hand sanitizer on hand.
Upon returning home, untie the strings or remove the ear loops from your ears, fold the outside corners of the face covering together, and place the mask in the laundry as per CDC guidelines. Remember to wash your hands immediately afterwards.
Mistake 5: Not Washing Your Cloth Mask
“Would you wear the same pair of underwear over and over again?” asks Grabowski. Just as you wouldn’t, the same principle applies to cloth masks. Ideally, masks (and underwear) should be washed after every use.
Here’s how to wash and dry your mask:
In a washing machine: Include your mask in your regular laundry cycle, using the warmest temperature setting suitable for the fabric, as recommended by the CDC.
By hand: Mix 4 teaspoons of bleach with a quart of water and wash the mask in this solution, as advised by the CDC. Alternatively, you can use soap or detergent with hot water, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dry: Allow your mask to dry on high heat or air dry, preferably in direct sunlight.
To extend your laundering cycles, consider this tip: Purchase seven masks, one for each day of the week, and hang them in a warm location after use, suggests Dr. Milton. By the eighth day, the first mask in the rotation will be ready to use again. SARS-CoV-2 typically survives on surfaces for only a few hours to days, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Another reason to wash your mask is to prevent breakouts, according to the Mayo Clinic. By thoroughly cleaning your mask after each use, you’ll remove skin cells and oil that could accumulate on the mask and potentially lead to skin irritations and acne. Opt for a fragrance-free detergent when washing your mask, as recommended by the Cleveland Clinic.
Mistake 6: Reusing a Disposable Mask
Non-medical grade face masks are readily available online for everyday use, offering lightweight and disposable options. However, experts advise against reusing them due to several factors. The filtering layers can degrade over time, the ear loops may stretch out, and the masks can become soiled with use.
According to Grabowski, if these masks are labeled as single-use and disposable, they should be disposed of after a single use. The concern is to avoid masks becoming a potential risk for individuals if reused beyond their intended purpose.
Mistake 7: Assuming Your Scarf or Neck Warmer Is Enough Protection
While scarves and neck gaiters can cover your mouth and nose, they may not offer the same level of protection as a mask. In fact, research suggests they might even have the opposite effect.
In an August 2020 study published in Science Advances, researchers used a laser beam and camera to capture droplets emitted while a person wearing different types of face coverings spoke into a box. They found that out of 14 face coverings tested, bandanas and neck gaiters allowed the most droplets to escape. In contrast, professionally fitted N95 masks, surgical masks, and cotton cloth face masks were more successful at stopping droplets.
Specifically, neck gaiters were found to disperse large droplets into smaller ones, potentially prolonging their airborne presence. This suggests that the use of such face coverings might not be as effective and could even be counterproductive in preventing the spread of droplets.
However, it’s important to note that this study is limited, and further research is needed to confirm these findings conclusively. In the meantime, opting for a cloth or surgical mask may offer better protection compared to scarves or neck gaiters.