Current recommendations for mask wearing:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
- \n
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- If you were exposed to COVID-19<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- In health care settings & facilities<\/strong>*<\/li>\n
- CDC recommends wearing a mask in indoor public transportation<\/strong> (airplane, train, or bus) settings regardless of community level.<\/li>\n
- CDC recommends wearing a mask in high COVID-19 community level while in public indoor settings<\/strong>, regardless of vaccination status, risk factors, or previous COVID-19 infection.<\/li>\n
- CDC recommends wearing a mask in medium-to-low COVID-19 community levels while in public indoor settings<\/strong> if you:\n
- \n
- Have personal risk factors or health conditions.<\/li>\n
- Risk factors of others around you.<\/li>\n
- Settings where people at increased risk gather.<\/li>\n
- Personal preference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
*Some settings may have specific federal, state, local, or business-level rules about wearing masks, regardless of the CDC COVID-19 community level.<\/em><\/p>\n
As we begin our fall semester, you may want to revamp your masking attire. Chances are your masks have been washed dozens of times which causes the fabric to loosen and be less effective. When shopping for new masks, keep these tips in mind on how to wear face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Wearing Your Mask” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Wearing Your Mask<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Before we dive in any further, let\u2019s go back to the basics and talk about how you should properly wear a mask, so it protects yourself and others around you. Here are some things to keep in mind:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
- \n
- Your mouth and nose should be fully covered.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Your mask should fit snugly against the sides of your face, so there are no gaps.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- You shouldn\u2019t have any difficulty breathing while wearing the cloth face covering.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Your mask should be tied or otherwise secured to prevent slipping.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- You should handle your mask with the straps or strings, and you should avoid touching the front of your mask.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- You should wash or sanitize your hands before putting the mask on and after taking it off.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_blurb content_max_width=”100%” admin_label=”Type of Mask Blurb” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Type<\/span><\/b>s<\/span><\/b>\u00a0of Mask<\/span><\/b>s<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n
There are several types of face masks that offer varying levels of protection. For the most protection,\u00a0fit is key. Make sure that your face mask covers your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks.<\/p>\n
Do not wear face masks that are wet, dirty, or broken<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” title=”N95 & KN95 Masks” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ admin_label=”N95″ content_max_width=”100%”]<\/p>\n
N95 & KN95 offer the most protection<\/strong> and <\/span>are often grouped together because they are very similar. <\/span><\/span>They<\/span>\u00a0both<\/span>\u00a0filter out the 95% of particles<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0When wearing a\u00a0<\/span>N95 or KN95 mask,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>your odds of contracting COVID-19 decrease by 83%<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Do not<\/strong> add another mask or layer to N95 or KN95 masks.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” button_text=”How to Reuse N95 & KN95 Masks” button_url=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/blog\/how-to-reuse-n95-kn95-masks\/” url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ admin_label=”N95 Button”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” title=”Surgical Masks” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ admin_label=”Surgical” content_max_width=”100%”]<\/p>\n
Surgical masks are widely available, single use and disposable masks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wear surgical masks with:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- A proper fit over your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks. You can improve the fit by knotting and tucking your ear loops for a more snug fit.<\/li>\n
- Multiple layers of non-woven material.<\/li>\n
- A nose wire.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
DO NOT<\/span><\/b> wear two disposable masks at one time.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>However, you can double up on a surgical mask and cloth mask to increase the amount of layers and fit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” title=”Cloth Masks” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ admin_label=”Cloth” content_max_width=”100%”]<\/p>\n
Cloth masks can be made from a variety of fabrics and can easily be washed and reworn.<\/p>\n
Wear cloth masks with<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- A proper fit over your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks.<\/li>\n
- Multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric, ideally 2-3 layers. If you have a cloth mask with only 1-layer, consider putting a disposable mask underneath it to improve fit and protection.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Nose wire. A nose wire helps to improve fit of your mask and prevents air from leaking out the top of your mask.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Fabric that blocks light when held up to bright light source.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Do NOT wear cloth masks with<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Gaps around the sides of the face or nose.<\/li>\n
- Exhalation valves, vents, or other openings.<\/li>\n
- Single-layer fabric or those made of thin fabric that don\u2019t block light.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Over time, the fabric within cloth masks may loose their elasticity and effectiveness. Toss out old cloth masks.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_accordion admin_label=”Accordion” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_accordion_item _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” title=”Preventing Foggy Glasses While Wearing a Mask” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ open=”on”]<\/p>\n
You know what\u2019s more annoying than having to wear a mask? Wearing a mask that fogs up your glasses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
To prevent your vision from being compromised, wear your glasses over your mask.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Selecting a mask with a nose wire will provide a more \u201csnug fit\u201d and keep your breath inside the mask.<\/span><\/p>\n
Wash your glasses with liquid soap. This will create a thin layer of soap molecules that will from a transparent coating that inhibits fog formation.<\/p>\n
You can also use\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>medical\u00a0<\/span>adhesive\u00a0<\/span>to lightly\u00a0<\/span>tape your mask onto your face to further prevent fogging.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” title=”How to Wash a Cloth Mask” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ open=”off”]<\/p>\n
Masks should be washed daily or\u00a0<\/span>at least\u00a0<\/span>in between each use. Machine washing an<\/span>d drying is\u00a0<\/span>best and<\/span>\u00a0can be washed with other clothing.<\/span>\u00a0Here\u2019s what you do:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- Nose wire. A nose wire helps to improve fit of your mask and prevents air from leaking out the top of your mask.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Your mask should fit snugly against the sides of your face, so there are no gaps.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Your mouth and nose should be fully covered.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- \n
- If you were exposed to COVID-19<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/06\/How-to-Wash-a-Face-Mask-1.png\")
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