COVID-19: Wear mask that covers nose, mouth, chin tightly, says experts

Srinagar: Terming masks as an important tool to suppress Covid transmission, experts believe that most people don’t use masks properly.

Chairman Covid Advisory Committee (CAC) Dr M S Khuroo said that mask should cover the mouth, chin and nose while making sure there are no gaps between the face and the mask.

“Avoid touching the mask while using it. If you do, clean your hands with sanitiser and then clean the mask,” Khuroo said, adding that remove the mask, from behind (do not touch the front of the mask) as the outer face of the mask can get infected and people coming close to a person can catch the infection.

Khuroo said discard mask immediately in a closed bin and wash hands with soap and water besides replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and does not re-use.

“Mask must be kept on all the time while you are outside and shouldn’t be taken off even for ablution or a cup of tea in an infected area. Don’t use a mask with valves,” he said.

“N 95 mask can be sanitized and should not be used for more than three-four times as it loses its efficiency,” he said.

Khuroo said masks won’t work at closed places as infection in indoors is aerosol and mask protects against the droplet infection only.

“At home masks must be thrown in a dustbin with lid and then dispose off the bag properly,” he said.