Many people already wear cloth masks on the street. And in more and more federal states, this is or will be mandatory in certain places. What do you need to know about the mask?
Mask up when shopping or on the bus and train: More and more federal states make it mandatory to wear mouth-nose protection in certain public places in order to prevent the spread of the Corona virus contain. These are everyday masks that are made of fabric. Five tips for this protection:
Not 100% certainty
The term everyday mask is no coincidence. These masks are a makeshift and generally do not meet the standards and requirements that are placed on medical mouth and nose protection. Even with masks, you should follow the distance rules and cough and sneeze properly.
So: turned away from others and into the crook of the arm.
But the mask also helps: it is a visible signal to others that one is careful with the corona virus. In addition, it should catch droplets that you eject when you speak or laugh – and thus protect others to a certain extent from infection if you carry Sars-CoV-2.
Alternatively to the mask: You can also cover your mouth, nose and cheeks with a scarf or cloth. (Source: Sebastian Willnow / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa / tmn)
You also protect yourself a bit as a wearer: For example, the mask can prevent you from touching your nose or mouth with dirty hands and possibly causing pathogens to enter your body.
A matter of substance
Firmly woven fabrics are better suited for the purpose than lightly woven fabrics, according to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). That means: The stitches should be as tight as possible – but not so tight that breathing is difficult. The mask is ideally made of 100 percent cotton, the Bavarian Ministry of Health recommends in an FAQ.
Wash hot, with a stick if necessary
After wearing, it is best to wash the everyday mask immediately with at least 60 degrees with a full detergent. If you do not always want to start the washing machine right away, drop the hot water into the sink with a little detergent. To avoid scalding your fingers when hand washing, first help yourself with a stick and use it to turn the mask back and forth in the water. Once it has cooled sufficiently, you can wring it through again by hand.
Speaking of hands
Before putting it on, wash it thoroughly so that the mask stays clean. After stopping, too – because pathogens could frolic on the outside of the face shield.
Be careful with the microwave
If the fabric can take it, the mask can also be cleaned by hot ironing or a round in a warm oven. Be careful when cleaning in the microwave: masks with wire hangers should never be put in there – there is a risk of fire. The Munich fire department had to deploy several times because masks or microwave ovens had caught fire:
Munich fire brigade warns: Do not clean protective masks with metal wire in a microwave! They had to move out several times because masks or microwave ovens had caught fire.
– MDR CURRENT (@MDRAktuell) April 21, 2020
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Buy, sew – or a scarf in front of your mouth
Textile manufacturers now sometimes produce masks. They also sell many fabric shops, tailors or designers. Individuals offer their masks online, for example via the Etsy platform. Anyone who can handle a needle and thread simply sews the protection themselves – there are templates for sewing patterns online.
Instructions in the Corona crisis: In these five steps you sew a respirator yourself. (Source: t-online.de)
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Is there a lack of these skills or the necessary materials such as elastic bands, and you cannot get a mask quickly? Then it may be enough to cover your mouth, nose and cheeks with a scarf or cloth. Some states state this explicitly as an alternative, others do not go into it.
As with masks, the fabric should be as dense as possible and made of cotton, explains the Bavarian Ministry of Health. And after wearing, the advice also applies: wash at least 60 degrees.
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Important NOTE: The information is by no means a substitute for professional advice or treatment by trained and recognized doctors. The contents of t-online.de cannot and must not be used to independently diagnose or start treatments.
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