- The primary function of a facemask is to protect others from you transmitting disease to them, knowingly or unknowingly.
- The outer surface of the mask can be contaminated easily. Covid-19 can survive on the outside of a surgical mask for more than 7 days. Disinfect (with alcohol sanitizer or soap and water) your hands every time you touch the facemask and every time before and after wearing and taking off your mask.
- Wearing a mask may not protect you from COVID-19 unless you also follow other infection control measures like physical distancing (stay >2m away from others), frequent effective handwashing (>20 seconds of soap and water), and avoidance of cross-contamination (avoid touching your face)
- Masks are ideally single use. If reusing masks, please sterilize after each use or at least at the end of each day.
- The best way to sterilize a facemask made with the Halyard sterilization wrapping without degrading its filtration efficiency is to place it in a dry heat environment for 30 minutes at 70C (eg. dehydrator or convection oven). It is best to preheat the oven for even heating.
- If your mask is visibly soiled or if a smell develops after repeated use, you can clean the mask by gently scrubbing and soaking it in soapy water (use soap or a mild detergent) for 15 minutes. Please rinse off the soapy water and leave the mask to air dry. Alternatively, you can place the face mask in a laundry bag to launder the mask in the washer and dryer with the high heat option.
- Do not share your mask with others. There are other diseases that can be transmitted other than COVID-19.
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