Wearing a face mask does not have to be an uncomfortable experience that leads to outbursts, foggy glasses and sore ears.
Two experts have expressed their views on mask use, after it became mandatory for all residents of greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong to wear it this week.
The recent outbreaks in the northern beaches of Sydney and some western suburbs have led to the new restrictions – and people who refuse to wear a mask will be fined $ 200.
Wearing a face mask does not have to be an uncomfortable experience leading to outbreaks, foggy glasses and sore ears – according to experts
Entrepreneur Cecilia Li, who designed a face mask for the pandemic, revealed how to wear it for maximum comfort
Entrepreneur Cecilia Li, who designed a face mask for the pandemic, and an NSW health worker who wishes to remain anonymous, have released their tips.
Ms Li’s top priority with masks is that people wear them correctly to avoid discomfort.
She says if you find it difficult to inhale a mask, you may be wearing the wrong kind for you.
“Choose a mask made of breathable material, such as a good quality 100% cotton, bamboo or a better polyester, which is more breathable,” Ms Li said.
She also recommends that you use essential oils such as peppermint or lavender with the mask to make it easier to breathe.
It is important that your mask fits properly around the bridge of the nose, otherwise your glasses may fade more.
HOW TO WEAR MY MASK TO MAKE IT EASIER?
If you struggle to breathe with a mask on?
1. Choose a mask made of breathable material such as a good quality 100% cotton, bamboo or polyester that breathes better.
2. Use essential oils such as peppermint or lavender oil at the bottom of the mask to facilitate your breathing.
If it’s too hot to wear a mask?
1. Choose masks made from cooling moisturizing fabrics that are suitable for Australian weather conditions – cotton is breathable but does not dry quickly and can therefore create extra heat after being worn for a long time.
Choose material to breathe that allows for better airflow.
4. If you have long hair, tie it back in a ponytail.
5. Wear the mask of the right size for your face shape.
What if my ears hurt because of the loops?
1. Instead of the more common elastic earmuffs, use a mask with adjustable ear straps.
2. Choose a mask with soft flexible and thinner elastic bands.
What if I have my glasses dimmed while wearing a mask?
1. Choose a mask that is the right size for your face shape. With a loose-fitting mask, more of your warm breath can escape from the top of the mask and take off your glasses.
Try a mask with adjustable earmuffs and a flexible nose piece for a snug fit.
3. Place a facial tissue in your mask to absorb the moisture from your warm breath and reduce the mist.
4. Try spraying your lenses against the mist.
What if I wear a mask to break me out?
1. Avoid using a heavy foundation that can clog your pores.
2. Moisturize your skin, especially in areas prone to irritation by the mask that rubs against your skin.
3. Choose a mask that sits away from your nose and cheeks to reduce the dust that rubs against your face.
4. Choose a mask that has antibacterial properties, such as nano-silver to reduce bacterial growth on the surface.
5. Wash your face before and after wearing a mask.
SOURCE: Cecilia Li Novw Masks
If your ears hurt when you wear a mask, it is also important for the mother-of-two to solve the problem.
“Instead of the more common elastic earmuffs, use a mask with adjustable ear straps,” she said.
She also recommends that people who wear glasses pay attention to the way their mask fits along the bridge of the nose.
This reduces the amount of hot air released, and in turn how much your glasses dim.
Essential oils, such as peppermint, can help people breathe easily when wearing a mask
WHAT ARE THE TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING YOURSELF AND OTHER SAFE WHILE WEARING A MASK?
Masks must currently be worn within NSW. A $ 200 fine is payable to those caught. The NSW health worker says masks are an extra precaution, but the hand hygiene and social distance should not be forgotten.
Surgical masks:
1- Surgical masks have two sides, a white and a blue side. The blue side MUST appear on the outside.
2- The surgical mask also has a top and bottom. However, if you wear the mask correctly, you should feel a thread at the top. This is so that you can shape the mask according to your nose.
3- Wear it ideally for a maximum of four hours – if it gets wet or dirty in any way, replace it immediately.
4 – Try not to touch the mask – you may spread germs to you and others.
5- They should ideally cover as far below your chin as it allows.
6- When taking masks, remove hand hygiene from the front and back of the straps (the back of your ears) and then dispose of with the mask. Then perform hand hygiene immediately. It seems much easier to pull from the front, but then your germs spread.
While the health worker wants people to stay safe, maintain hygiene and understand the basic ‘do’s and don’ts’ of wearing masks.
“It is so important that we emphasize social distance and hand hygiene. Masks have been introduced as an additional measure, ‘she said.
She told the Daily Mail Australia the way the mask fits is essential, explaining that it should go from the bridge of the nose to below your chin.
She also said that masks should be replaced every four hours if they are wet or ‘dirty’ or if you take them off for some reason.
Even the washable masks need to be replaced if removed. If you touch it, it can spread any virus elsewhere on the mask.
It can infect you if it is on the outside, or cause you to infect others if you have the disease.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS IN NSW?
People living in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and the Central Coast will be fined from Monday if caught in public without wearing a face mask.
It was previously thought that masks should be worn in a very confined environment.
But on Sunday, officials explained that masks should be worn in all shopping malls, in places of worship, hair and beauty salons, cinemas, post offices and banks.
Bank branches, tanning salons, laundries, spas, tattoo parlors, betting agencies and games salons are also included.
Hospitality staff must also wear masks.
If you take public transport, you must wear a mask if you are in a vehicle or vessel used to provide a public transportation service, including a taxi or a ride-sharing service.
You must also wear a mask when you are in a waiting area for public transport, which includes:
The station area and platform of a passenger railway or railway station, a ferry terminal, a bus stop or a light railway stop, including any area where persons stand in line or meet as they wait at the stop and at a taxi rank.
The new restriction will be introduced Monday at 1 a.m. and will also apply to other vulnerable facilities such as disability housing and prisons, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said Sunday.
SOURCE: NSW Health
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