MIND YOUR MASK – HOW YOU WEAR IT MATTERS

Wearing a face mask in public helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 — but only if worn properly, covering both your nose and mouth. Face masks reduce a wearer's Covid infection risk by 65%. The masks provide a physical barrier to respiratory droplets containing the Coronvirus that are about one-third the size of a human hair. But even surgical masks are not airtight, so remember that social distancing is also important.

Read our mask-wearing guidelines to get the maximum protection for you and your loved ones:

     1. Wash your hands before touching the mask. Then also after taking it off.

     2. Touch only the bands or ties when putting on and taking off your mask.

     3. Make sure the mask fits to cover your nose, mouth and chin.

     4. If the person wear a hearing aid choose a mask with 4 ties rather than loops.

     5. Be sure you can breathe and talk comfortably through your mask.

     6. Don’t remove the mask while around others in public.

     7. Wash reusable masks after each use.

     8. If the mask is disposable, discard it when visibly soiled or damaged.

     9. Don’t share your mask with family members or friends, especially after being worn.

    10. Don’t touch anyone else’s mask while it is being worn.

    11. Talking through a mask is not easy – but leave it on.

Follow these helpful tips to counteract the effects of a muffled voice, lost ability to read lips, and facial expressions:

     • Have the full attention of the person you are speaking to and face them,

     • Talk a bit louder and slower,

     • Do not shout,

     • Use your hands and body language,

     • Ask if they understood you – if not write it down or say it another way,

     • Move to someplace quieter.

Contact Us: This is a very scary time for seniors and the elderly. Wearing a mask and gloves during essential activities, while also observing social distancing should provide a high level of protection from Coronavirus. Be sure that if you are starting to introduce non-essential activities, you do so with the utmost caution while COVID risks are still so high for those with chronic conditions and advanced years of age. If you need help inside the home, whether with care, cooking or cleaning, OR outside the home with errands, food shopping, or doctor visits, Visiting Angels has the services you need. We have proper pandemic protocols in place to keep our clients safe.

Till Next Time!
Irv Seldin, JD, MA
President and Owner, Visiting Angels of the Palm Beaches

*THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.