Masked existence is our new normal now. Since the last year, there is a lot we’ve had to adjust to, and we didn’t complain because the lessons have also taught us a lot of things. Amidst all the other things, hygiene and sanity top the list. We have developed a deeper consciousness about cleanliness. Cleanliness is not just a way of life anymore, it is a fight for existence. The virus that made an entry into our lives last year taught us how the biggest diseases could be conquered, only if we maintained proper sanitation. Today, through various ups and downs in this pandemic, we somehow are learning the tricks. It is a continuous process.
Masks have become an integral part of our lives. It has now become a part of the essential trinity that we cannot leave our homes without – phone and wallet being the other two. However, being something that we use every day as a protection shield, our masks bear the brunt for us. That is why it gets so important to clean it every day. The right way to use a mask has been a mystery even after a year. This article talks about the best and the cleanest way to use a mask.
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- Buy more than a few masks: If you are someone who has to go out every day, it is for the best that you stock up a few masks. That way, you don’t have to wear the same mask every day, and you can get the time to properly clean and sundry the used mask as you’d have alternate options.
- Buy reusable masks: Using reusable masks is good for the environment. It is sad to read the amount of waste that has been generated in the last year in the form of masks. Except for the doctors who use N-95 masks, the common people who do not come in contact with infected patients frequently can use reusable masks.
- Wash your masks properly: Masks have to be washed every time they are used. After using the mask, keep it separated from everything else and keep it in hot water for a while before washing it. Use washing powder to clean it instead of soap to minimise contact with regularly used surfaces and dry it under the sun.
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Since step three takes a lot of time, it is convenient to have more than a few masks. Apart from the washing guidelines, be careful to not touch the front portion of the mask while you are wearing it and open it only from the edges only. Wash your face every time you open a mask. Since we are already adjusting to the new normal, we might as well do it properly and safely until we get vaccinated.
