To curb the spread of the coronavirus, a mandatory mask has been in effect in almost all German states since April 27 - including Hesse.
The masks must be worn when shopping and on public transport, among other things. While a simple cloth mask cannot protect the wearers themselves from the risk of infection, it does help prevent transmission. This is because people can transmit Covid 19 pathogens even if they do not show any symptoms of the disease. Therefore, the mask is particularly useful if as many people as possible wear it.
But what are all the things to consider when it comes to mandatory masks? How do you use and clean the mask correctly? And where must the mask be worn everywhere?
We have compiled the most important hints and tips for you!
For whom is the mask mandatory?
In principle, everyone is required to wear a mask on public transport and in shops. Exceptions apply to young children under the age of six and adults with disabilities or health conditions such as asthma. To enter shops and public transport anyway, a certificate from a doctor is necessary and can be presented at the appropriate point.
(As of 07.05.2020)
Where must a mask be worn?
- Supermarkets and shops
- Weekly markets
- Filling stations
- Post offices and bank branches
- Public transport
(whether a mask requirement on long-distance trains will follow is currently under discussion) - Health facilities (hospitals, doctors' surgeries etc.)
- When providing and receiving body-related services (hairdresser, pedicure, tattoo parlor, etc.)
- Museums and zoos
(as of 07.05.2020)
Wearing and cleaning masks properly - what to look out for?
Don't wear too loosely
The mask should reach over the nose and down under the chin. In addition, it is important to make sure that the mask fits tightly at the sides and no gaps are left open. People with facial hair in particular should be careful here, as this can keep the fabric off the skin, allowing more pathogens to be released into the environment. Before entering a store or bus, you should check that the mask is in the correct position.
Clean Hands
The respirator should only be touched when putting it on and taking it off. You should also wash your hands thoroughly with soap both before putting it on and after taking it off, so that any viruses that may have stuck to your hands are not transferred to the inside of the mask. Also, always try to put the mask on and take it off by the straps only.
Be careful when talking on the phone too
Do not touch the mask with your smartphone, as this is particularly vulnerable to pathogens due to frequent touching. Therefore, try to avoid talking on the phone in public spaces as much as possible, or use a headset/headphones. In addition, you should clean your smartphone regularly.
The mask should not get wet
Once the mask has become wet from breathing air, it is time to change it. This is because once the mask is wet, the protective mechanism is no longer guaranteed. Reusable masks made of textiles should be washed at 60<x>ampersand</x>deg;C, boiled, ironed or baked (in the oven at 70-80 degrees Celsius for 30 min). Important: The mask can only be reused when it is completely dry.
To avoid having to constantly fire up the washing machine, it is recommended to get several fabric masks per person at once. On the internet you can find many good instructions on how to sew masks yourself from old t-shirts, bed sheets or other fabric scraps. A sample tutorial is available HERE.
Keep a safe distance
Even if you're wearing a mask, don't forget other important measures to contain the coronavirus. You quickly feel protected by your mask and become a bit careless. Therefore, despite wearing a mask, continue to keep a safe distance of at least 1.5 meters from other people and wash your hands regularly with soap.
Goggles fog up because of the mask.
Wearing a mask is especially annoying for people who wear glasses.
No sooner do you put on the mask than your glasses fog up.
This happens because the warm air escapes directly at the edge of the glasses when you exhale, and the moisture in the air you breathe condenses on the colder lenses. Quickly you see so with glasses even less than without .
If you can not switch to contact lenses, you need to find another solution.
What can you do about fogging glasses?
Soap
Apply mild soap (without alcohol!) very thinly to the lenses with a cloth. Do not wash the lenses, however, just polish them dry. The thin film of soap on the lenses will now prevent moisture from settling.
Wear goggles over mask
Simply put the goggles on the protective mask. This presses the fabric even tighter against your face and allows less air to escape upwards. The air, which flows out nevertheless, flows past the eyeglass lenses and you have free view. However, spectacle wearers must take care here that their field of vision is not impaired and that the mask is worn as tightly as possible.
Sewing a metal strap into the mask
A similar effect is achieved by sewing a metal strap into the mask. The bow must sit above the nose so that you can press the protection there tightly against the skin. As a metal bracket can use a thin wire or also the metal piece from quick staplers.
Protective spray
Naturally, there are also special sprays that are intended to prevent the lenses from fogging up. You get them for example at the optician or on the Internet. The good thing: The sprays can also be used later, for example for camera lenses or swimming and ski goggles. After all, the Corona pandemic will hopefully come to an end at some point.
Do you have any tips or links on the subject of mandatory masks that you would like to share? Then write to us at: marketing@trifels.de.
