Love wearing that mask on your arm or under your chin? You’re spreading germs
When information technology comes to bad habits, nosotros can all agree that at that place are some that are pretty disgusting – like picking i's nose and flicking that rolled-upwardly fleck of booger in public or otherwise.
Just it's non just a matter of looking gross. There are certain habits that could be an outcome health-wise and in this new series, nosotros've asked experts to explain why exactly you should recollect twice virtually doing certain things.
Take mask wearing, for case. It is something nosotros've all started getting used to. However, in that location are sure habits that also come with it – such as pulling your mask down nether your chin before y'all consume or drink, or temporarily transferring your mask to your arm before you run or brisk walk.
"Wearing your mask on the elbow or mentum are both bad mask-wearing habits, and defeat the purpose of wearing a mask to protect or reduce your chances of infection," said Dr Grace Huang, a general practitioner with DTAP Dispensary.
PULLING Downward THE MASK ONTO YOUR Chin
The surfaces of your mask incorporate microbes, said Dr Catherine Ong, a consultant with the division of infectious diseases at National University Hospital. "For an infected person, the viral particles will accumulate on the surface that comes into contact with the face," she said.
Furthermore, a worn mask is often moistened with respiratory and saliva droplets, which makes its inner surface more conducive for the virus to survive on than a dry surface, she said.
A mask'southward outer surface is no improve every bit it is covered in leaner, viruses and clay from the external environment, said Dr Huang. "Pulling your mask down to your mentum means the external surface of the mask may come into contact with your face and mayhap your lower lip, spreading these pathogens directly to your oral cavity and face."
WEARING THE MASK ON YOUR ARM
It may exist user-friendly but it'south not a good idea to article of clothing your mask on your arm or elbow while exercising, said Dr Huang. While perspiration is not known to spread COVID-19, she said that when y'all perspire, you may inadvertently touch your face up, which increases your risk of spreading pathogens from your hands or arms to your eyes, nose and oral cavity.
Conversely, you could be introducing your oral cavity to more pathogens when you put your mask dorsum on. "You are effectively spreading pathogens from your arms, which may have touched a lot of common surfaces, to your nose and mouth," said Dr Huang.
And then what's the all-time way to continue your mask while y'all're jogging? "The best option is to have a clean carrier to protect the mask from the external surround," she said. "If we can bear our phone and bank cards with usa, calculation a small Ziploc purse that can exist tucked into your telephone case or pocket is simply a affair of getting used to."
WHAT ABOUT FOLDING THE MASK OR STASHING Information technology INTO THE POCKET?
You'll be incorrect to call back that placing your mask on your wallet or phone, instead of straight on the table, is a more hygienic move. "Our wallet and telephone are probably some of the dirtiest objects we own," said Dr Huang. "We impact external surfaces and then handle our phone and wallet, essentially rendering them fomites. The safest option is still a clean carrier or mask holder that is not exposed to external dirt and pathogens." Fomites are objects that are likely to carry infection.
And forget about folding your mask (no affair how carefully) earlier stashing it in your pocket. "This is non ideal every bit the mask may become crumpled or displaced with movement", said Dr Huang.
DOES THE MASK'S Textile MATTER?
Reusable textile masks are not fluid resistant and may easily absorb sweat or any fluids that it comes into contact with, said Dr Huang. And so such masks act like sponges, arresting fluid on your arm or chin, and transferring it to your rima oris and olfactory organ when you put your mask dorsum on.
"Disposable surgical masks are fluid resistant and filter amend than reusable cotton fiber masks," said Dr Huang. "However, disposable paper masks will non have the same effectiveness."
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/wellness/bad-habit-mask-wearing-covid-19-237806
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