Dr. Christine Eady MannVerified account

3. Remember: the masks that you will be using let in (& out) 60-97% of viral particles, depending on the mask you use. They aren’t sealed around the edges & their filtering capability varies. Something is better than nothing, but don’t let that give you a false sense of security.

4. The virus can enter and infect you through your eyes. Healthcare workers are using googles and/or face shields because of this.

5. The virus can linger in hair. Respiratory droplets from people breathing, coughing, & sneezing can land in your hair & you can infect yourself from there when you touch your hair then face. Healthcare workers wear head covers because of this.

6. Your mask loses effectiveness as it gathers moisture from your breathing inside it. It should not be worn for extended periods of time.

7. Your mask becomes contaminated when it is exposed to the virus. When you take it off, do it outside or in your garage, grasping it with one finger by the ear straps and put it in the trash. Immediately do thorough hand washing or sanitizing. Cloth masks should be washed.

We don’t know yet how long viral particles can live in the nooks and crannies of cloth masks.

8. Masks are *meant* to protect other people from you, not you from other people. Mask wearing works best if sick people have them on.

9. Consider the social consequences and harm to communities of color when they wear masks. Do not socially shame them if they make a different decision than you.