Just about everything in our lives has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in crowded metropolitan areas like New York. One of the more visible changes is that face coverings have become a part of everyday life. Bernard Camins, MD, MSc, Medical Director for Infection Prevention for the Mount Sinai Health System, offers some basic guidelines on face coverings.
Why should I wear a face covering?
Since early April, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measure are difficult to maintain, such as when grocery shopping. Shortly afterwards, the governors New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut ordered people to follow the CDC recommendations.
Do I need to use a face mask like the ones I see doctors and nurses wearing?
No. In order to preserve supplies of face masks certified for use by health care workers, the directives require only that you cover your face.
What is the best face covering for me?
Anything that covers your nose and mouth while you are in public is what is recommended in order to prevent the spread of the infection. It can be a handkerchief or a scarf or a bandana. You can make something out of cloth. The CDC has provided plenty of helpful tips. You do not want something that can make you short of breath. There can be shortages of masks for some hospitals and health care institutions, which is why it’s best if you use something other than a medical grade face mask.
What do I need if I am going to Mount Sinai for care?
All staff at Mount Sinai will be wearing medical face masks. If you arrive with a face covering that is not a medical face mask, we will provide you with a medical face mask. If you brought your own medical face mask, you may keep that on during your visit.
Can I reuse my cloth facial covering?
Yes. But you should be aware that the CDC suggests cloth face coverings be washed daily. If you are reusing a facial covering, rather than throwing it away, you should be careful when you take it off, as it may have become contaminated, and you should wash your hands afterwards. Having more than one cloth face covering is recommended.
I have heard a lot about N95 respirators. Do I need one of those?
No. Those masks are specifically designed for health care workers. They must be properly fitted for health care workers in order to guard against breathing in the tiny virus particles that cause the COVID-19 infection while caring for patients who are infected.
Why do I need a face covering?
Wearing a face covering is mostly to prevent you from infecting others by preventing the spread of respiratory droplets that carry the virus when you cough or sneeze. This is important because you may be infected but not know because you do not show any symptoms. Wearing a covering on your face can also provide some protection to you against being infected by others. The COVID-19 disease is transmitted by tiny virus particles in the droplets that come from our mouth or nose when we cough or sneeze. A secondary and less common method of transmission is when these particles land on surfaces people touch, like a checkout counter at the store or a cell phone, and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, allowing the virus to spread. We maintain social distance so that if someone should cough or sneeze, these virus particles will fall towards the ground and not come close enough to allow us to breathe them in or to land on our clothing.
Should everyone wear a face covering?
Yes, except for children under the age of 2 or elderly people or others who may have trouble breathing.
I saw face masks advertised online. Is it okay to buy them?
You may be able to buy masks at the store or online. But you should be aware that there are some counterfeit masks on the market.
My glasses are fogging up when I wear a face covering. Any suggestions?
This has been an issue for some people. Some research recommends cleaning your glasses carefully with soapy water and making sure they are dry before putting them on. Fogging can happen as you breathe out and the air goes upward towards your glasses, so you could also try ensuring the covering is tighter above your nose.
Seeing people in the community wearing face coverings makes me uncomfortable. What can I do?
People must change their thinking, their mindset about face coverings and realize that this is just a new part of our lives. It is something we need to become comfortable with in order to prevent the disease from spreading.