How to wear a surgical mask safely

Australia has had reasonable success in dealing with Covid-19 relative to the rest of the world, however the current position Victoria finds itself in has shown that we each must remain diligent in our approach to the virus as, when community transmission occurs and infections are unable to be traced, the situation can quickly get out of hand. If you are in an area where community transmission is occurring, the government may either ask you to wear a mask or introduce short-term legislation requiring the use of a mask when leaving the house. Even if there is no legislation or instruction from the government, health experts across the world highly recommend the use of surgical face masks for mitigating the spread of Covid-19.

Even if you are not symptomatic, wearing a mask in these situations is essential as the main value of wearing a mask is to protect other people. The indicative symptoms of Covid-19 often take time to present themselves and, as such, if a person wearing the mask is unknowingly infected, wearing a mask will reduce the chance of them passing the virus on to others. Additionally, wearing a mask can reduce the chance of contracting the virus from an infected individual. While the precise effectiveness of masks in reducing the infection risk has not yet been accurately quantified, various studies have shown that the use of masks reduces the spread of the virus

With that said, the Federal Government has provided a list of handy tips for safely wearing a mask:

Always wash and sanitise your hands before putting on a face mask.
Make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth. The top of the mask should rest on the bridge of your nose while the bottom of the mask should fit snugly around the base of your chin.
Do not touch the front of the mask while wearing it or when removing it. If you do touch the mask, wash or sanitise your hands immediately.
Do not allow the mask to hang around your neck. Ensure the top of the mask fully covers the nose.
Wash or sanitise your hands after removing the mask.
Single-use masks should not be reused and should be discarded immediately after use.
If the mask is wet, it will not be effective.
Ensure the metal strip on the mask rests on the bridge of your nose.

Face Mask Do’s and Don’ts

A mask alone will not suffice in offering complete protection from the threat of Covid-19. Maintaining social distancing remains the most effective way to avoid transmitting the virus, however these practices are difficult to maintain in certain circumstances such as using public transport or grocery shopping. It is in these instances that a face mask should be used. Furthermore, ensure that you stay home if you are unwell, avoid large gatherings and crowded indoor spaces and practice thorough hand and respiratory hygiene. The advice being administered by the government is subject to change at a moment’s notice, so it is essential that you stay up to date with the information regarding the areas that you live in, work in and travel through.

For many businesses around Australia, the use of face masks may not be required. However, should a business owner require masks to be worn in the workspace, it is their responsibility to provide them for their employees. Dalcon Hygiene are now carrying Medical Surgical P1 Face Masks certified to Australian Standards in addition to our existing Antibacterial Handwash, No Rinse Sanitiser and additional products designed to kill the germs that spread viruses and diseases throughout the community.