Your Face Mask May Carry COVID-19 on the Inside. Here's the Quick Fix.
 

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/face...110242742.html

Your Face Mask May Carry COVID-19 on the Inside. Here's the Quick Fix.

Alek Korab


Eat This, Not That!May 24, 2020, 4:02 AM PDT

You wash your hands more than you wash your face mask—and new research shows maybe that's not such a good thing. "A new report from an Italian health authority explains that SARS-CoV-2"—that's the coronavirus—"can survive on the interior of face masks for as long as 4 days, which is an important reminder that masks have to be handled with care, especially if you're handling them for a loved one who is infected," reports BGR.

Yes, you read that right: 4 days on the interior.

"The ISS says that SARS-CoV-2 particles have been detected on the interior side of the mask as long as 4 days after a mask was worn, and up to 7 days on the exterior," continues the website, quoting a report from HuffPost Italy. "A separate study a few weeks ago also explained that the novel coronavirus can survive up to 7 days on the surface of face masks."

Although the CDC recently said the transmission of COVID-19 on surfaces is unlikely, the agency added that there was still more research to do and urged you to clean surfaces you touch—including your mask—to protect yourself and others from catching the virus.
How to Clean Your Face Mask

The CDC offers comprehensive advice about how to keep your face mask germ free:

"Washing Machine

You can include your face covering with your regular laundry.

Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the face covering.

Washing by Hand

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water or

4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water

Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

Soak the face covering in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

Make sure to completely dry cloth face covering after washing.

How to Dry

Dryer

Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry

Air Dry

Lay flat and allow to completely dry. If possible, place the cloth face covering in direct sunlight."

And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these Things You Should Never Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Use and Care of a Cloth Mask
 

Use and Care of a Cloth Mask
Re: https://www.nationaljewish.org/patie...f-a-cloth-mask

Video link: https://youtu.be/iGE5eny_9gA

A. How to Put the Mask On and care of your cloth mask

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or alcohol-based sanitizer). Dry your hands with a clean paper towel and throw the paper towel away.

2. Make sure the exterior side of the mask is facing out, away from your face.

3. Place the mask on your face with the exterior side facing out and the stiff, bendable edge at the top by your nose. Try to use the ties and avoid touching the inside/outside of the mask.

4. If the mask has ties, pick up the mask by the ties and tie the upper ties behind your head with a bow. Our mask design at National Jewish has a head loop that you pull to tighten from below the mask.

5. If the mask has a lower tie, tie the lower ties behind your head with a bow. Our National Jewish mask has a single tie that goes behind the neck. Try to pull the mask tight then tie it in a bow.

6. Once the mask is in place, use your index finger and thumb to pinch the bendable top edge of the mask around the bridge of your nose.

7. Make sure the mask is completely secure. Make sure it covers your nose and mouth so that the bottom edge is under your chin.

8. Wash your hands.

B. While Wearing the Mask During the Day

1. DO NOT pull the mask down like one would a scarf on a ski slope. Adjustments should be made using the ties or cord at the neck or on top of the head.

2. Avoid touching your face even when the mask is in place.

3. Every time you do touch the mask for any reason, wash your hands before/after touching the mask.

C. Removing your Mask

1. Wash your hands before removing the mask.

2. Do not touch the inside of the mask (the part over nose and mouth). It may be contaminated from your breathing, coughing or sneezing.

3. Untie or remove the head or ear loops and remove the mask by the straps.

4. Wash your hands.


D. Cleaning the Mask

1. At the end of the day, take the mask off from the straps (not touching the front), loosely knot the ties together, place in a pillowcase or laundry bag to keep the ties with the mask if you have it.

2. Wash it in the washing machine with hot water and completely dry on medium or high heat.

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Note: Please Note: This Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been donated by third parties and may not meet federal requirements in effect prior to the pandemic or during the pandemic. National Jewish Health has taken steps to wash this PPE prior to distribution.

Here's a PDF Link if you wish to print it out: https://www.nationaljewish.org/NJH/m...v2-for-Web.pdf

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Personal Note: HC & I are members of the The Patriot Files.com we are concerned about your health and wellness. Be safe and stay calm.

Boats & HC