Your Guide to Face Coverings during a Pandemic

Within just a few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of change. But perhaps one of the pivotal changes to the “new normal” we were accustomed to are protective masks.  

Because Winona State and the city of Winona have mask requirements for everyone until further notice, we better get used to having them on. 

Here’s what you need to know about face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Wearing Your Mask 

Before we dive in any further, let’s 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: 

• Your mouth and nose should be fully covered. 
• Your mask should fit snugly against the sides of your face, so there are no gaps. 
• You shouldn’t have any difficulty breathing while wearing the cloth face covering. 
• Your mask should be tied or otherwise secured to prevent slipping. 
• You should handle your mask with the straps or strings, and you should avoid touching the front of your mask. 
• You should wash or sanitize your hands before putting the mask on and after taking it off. 

Mask Effectiveness 

You want a mask that looks good, feels good, and does its job. There are two ways you can test the effectiveness of your mask: 

1. Flashlight Test – Shine a flashlight onto your cloth mask. Can the light shine through? If yes, then you need more layers or a different filter. 

2. Candle Test – Carefully light a candle. Can you blow it out while wearing your mask? If no, then you’re good to go! 

Shape of Mask 

The shape of the mask you choose is another factor that can dictate its effectiveness. 

Cone style masks, which form to your face, provide the most amount of protection. If this shape isn’t available near you, look for masks with a nose wire to provide a more “snug fit.” You should also check the product dimensions to find the correct size to purchase. 

Got Fog? 

You know what’s more annoying than having to wear a mask? Wearing a mask that fogs up your glasses. 

To prevent your vision from being compromised, wear your glasses over your mask. Selecting a mask with a nose wire will provide a more “snug fit” and keep your breaths inside. You can also use a medical adhesive to lightly tape your mask onto your face to further prevent fogging. 

Mask Washing 101 

Masks should be washed daily or at least in between each use. Machine washing and drying is best and can be washed with other clothing. Here’s what you do: 

1. Fill a basin or bucket with hot water, 1-2 tablespoons of detergent or 1 Tide Pod, and your mask(s). 

2. Cover the basin or bucket with a lid and shake until the water gets sudsy. 

3. Soak your mask for 30 minutes, then drain. 

4. Refill the basin or bucket with water to rinse. 

5. Rinse the rest of the soap out of your mask with the running water. 

6. Lay your mask down flat or hang it up to dry. 

We recommend owning multiple masks to rotate and clean, especially if you have in-person classes or are an essential worker. 

If we follow these guidelines together, then we will overcome this pandemic together. Let’s each do our part!

– Amy Nelson ’19