Join Us In An Act of Kindness
Masks have quickly become an everyday wardrobe essential. As the COVID-19 outbreak continues and communities reopen, many local establishments are requiring that their patrons wear masks or other types of face covering to slow the spread of the virus.
At your next appointment, you’ll notice all Harbin Clinic staff are wearing masks to protect our patients. And as we continue to adapt our day-to-day processes to keep everyone safe, we also require that all patients and visitors wear a facial covering during the entirety of their visit. Join us in this act of kindness, and be prepared to wear a mask to your next appointment. Read more about our safety measures here.
While masks like the N95 prove the most effective at protecting the individual wearing them, they’re not easy to find and are often reserved for healthcare workers fighting the disease on the frontline. So, many of us are wearing cloth masks either made at home or by a friend, or they’re purchased online.
But you may have some questions about how to wear them and who they help protect.
Often made from material similar to cotton, homemade masks help protect wearers from potentially spreading the virus to others when they exhale.
These masks serve as a helpful barrier that reduces the amount of exhaled air particles and keeps the virus from spreading, especially from infectious, but asymptomatic, individuals. They are particularly helpful when you cough or sneeze and can interrupt those air particles from traveling outwards. A particle “cloud” from a cough or sneeze can travel as wide as 25 feet.
As businesses reopen and employees are going back to work, the more people that are wearing masks in one location plays a vital role in slowing the spread of the virus and reducing the transmission of air particles.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reminds us to continue practicing social distancing and wear a cloth face covering to help combat the outbreak.
When it comes to wearing your protective face covering, we wanted to provide a few helpful tips to make sure they’re as effective as possible:
DOs· Do wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with clean water and soap before touching your mask.· Do make sure the mask stretches over the nose and chin completely.· Do make sure the mask fits snuggly against your face.· Do avoid touching the front of the mask while wearing it.· Do remove the mask by the ear loops or ties at the back and avoid touching the front of the mask.· Do throw away disposable masks immediately. If you have a cloth mask, wash it immediately.· Do wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with clean water and soap after touching your mask.
DON’Ts· Don’t touch the front of the mask while wearing it.· Don’t wear your face mask under your nose or mouth.· Don’t let your face mask rest under your chin.· Don’t let your face mask hang from one ear.· Don’t wear a damaged mask.· Don’t take a face mask off to speak with someone.· Don’t put a mask on a child under 2 years old, anyone with difficulty breathing, or someone who is unable to remove the mask without assistance.· Don’t neglect to practice other preventative measures, such as social distancing, washing your hands regularly and staying home when you feel sick.
Below is an easy and fun DIY tutorial for making your own cloth face coverings. https://www.youtube.com/embed/REtQwwRoxuY
If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or believe you have a current infection, call your provider or visit Harbin Clinic Immediate Care. Harbin Clinic Immediate Care is now offering COVID-19 viral and antibody testing. Visit our article here to determine which test may be best for you.
