The use of face masks has been described by Health experts as a necessary arsenal in the fight against COVID-19, therefore, medical masks (surgical masks), non-medical masks (cloth masks), or the N95 mask have been highly recommended especially in areas where social distancing is difficult to practice.
On Saturday, April 25, 2020, the Ghana Health Service in a statement announced that the wearing of face masks has been made compulsory by the Health Ministry.
But how does one wear the mask properly to avoid contamination, infection, and transmission of the virus? The Ghana Health Service has grouped this under three steps; procedures for wearing and removing a mask, changing and disposing of mask and sizes and standards of the mask.
Under Procedures for wearing and removing a mask, the following are recommended:
- Clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer before putting on a mask.
- Ensure that your mask fully covers your mouth and nose with no gaps between your face and the mask.
- Avoid touching the mask after you have worn it.
- Remove the mask by passing a finger through the loop of the mask behind one ear and lift off without touching the front of the mask NEVER TOUCH THE FRONT OF THE MASK
Under changing and disposing of masks; the Ghana Health Service advises the following;
- Do not use the mask for more than 12 hours at a time.
- Replace the mask immediately it is damp or soiled.
- When using a reusable mask, prepare a soapy or bleach lathered water and drop the mask directly into it on removing. Leave in the water for five (5) minutes before washing. Rinse, dry, and iron before reuse.
- Do not re-use single-use surgical masks more than twice or N95 masks more than three times.
- Dispose all used masks in a closed bin or burn it in a safe place. Wash hands immediately with soap and water, where available, apply alcohol-based sanitizer after disposal.
Sizes and standards of masks; here, the Health Service advises that it is important all masks used meet the minimum standards of safety. The Ministry of Health recommends that the Food and Drugs Authority approved masks are used. Where these are not available, homemade masks made of the following materials or specifications may be used;
- JAVA or WAX cloths are sown triple-layered and stringed with side loops to be worn as hooks to the ear.
- Calico inlaid with fabric stiffens and inner covered with side loops to be worn as hooks to the ear.
- Homemade masks with strings to be tied behind the neck or head ARE NOT ENCOURAGED
- Adult masks must not be worn by children child-appropriate length masks must be worn by children.
Read the Statement from the Health Service below: