How to Wear a Mask

Wearing a face mask can feel, well, a little weird. But it helps to protect you, and those around you, from getting COVID-19.

The thing is: you have to wear your mask correctly for the mask to help you.

Here are the "Rules of Mask Wearing" to help you through.

	There are two sides to every face mask - be sure you know which is the FRONT (the outside) and which is the BACK (the side that touches your face). Some face masks have a different color on each side...
If your face mask is the same color on both sides, get a Sharpie or marker and make an X on the side that will be touching your face (the BACK). This will help you to remember which side is the FRONT (and faces out) and which side is the BACK (the side that touches your face).
	You need to know which side is the FRONT because that's the side that protects you from breathing in random germs and viruses.
Before putting on your mask, wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap, or use hand sanitizer for 30 seconds.
	Put your MASK LOOPS over each ear OR, if your mask ties behind your head, TIE BEHIND YOUR HEAD. Pull the bottom of your mask so it's below your chin.
MAKE SURE YOUR NOSE IS COVERED - some people forget this. Your nose needs to be covered so you don't breath in germs. If your mask has a metal strip over your nose, you can pinch it to fit your nose better.
	Now that your mask is on DO NOT TOUCH THE FRONT - your hands will pick up all the germs you are protecting yourself from. DO NOT adjust it... DO NOT scratch your nose through it DO NOT pull it down to talk DO LEAVE IT IN PLACE
DO NOT move it below your chin when you leave a store or public place. This will expose your face and your hands to the germs on the front of your mask.
	When you are ready to remove your mask, first thing to do is WASH YOUR HANDS or use hand sanitizer.
Next, REMOVE THE LOOPS FROM YOUR EARS or UNTIE THE TIES FROM BEHIND YOUR HEAD. Touch ONLY the ear loops or ties.
	DO NOT REMOVE YOUR MASK BY GRABBING THE FRONT OF THE MASK.
Fold the mask so the FRONT IS ON THE INSIDE and the BACK IS ON THE OUTSIDE.
	REUSABLE MASK CLOTH MASK: Put the mask in the laundry and wash and dry on a warm/hot setting. You can wash it with other clothing - the laundry soap will remove any germs.
SURGICAL MASK: To reuse a surgical mask, TAKE THE FOLDED MASK and place it IN A BROWN PAPER BAG (like a lunch bag) and fold the top to store.
	After removing your mask, IMMEDIATELY WASH YOUR HANDS or use hand sanitizer. Do NOT touch your face until you've washed!