How to: Wear a Mask to Prevent Transmission

I had a bit of a debate with a South African on how to actually wear masks. This made me realize that, unless someone had strong connections to someone who grew up in a Korean, Japanese, or Singaporean culture, masks are probably a baffling piece of daily equipment for the average person. So I did a bit of research and decided to share the optimized method of using the masks (and win my petty debate.)

1) Identify the top of the mask

There are a few informatics out there, and they all say that the wire is the top of the mask. This wire may or may not be visible depending on the mask that you have, but you can tell pretty easily where it is as it gives a bit of support. Some masks have text on the cover in print, embossed, or even cut through. Don't trust the orientation of those.

Case in point: this text is upside-down.

2) Identify the inside of the mask

The inside of the mask is usually the side that is white or uncoloured. However, masks can get pretty fancy with their patterns and aesthetic designs. If you can't tell by the colour, the material should indicate the inside; the inside of the mask is the thinner, fluffier material. The outside of the mask is more dense.

The fluffier material is supposed to absorb the moisture that comes out of your face and prevent the spread of contagion in the air. The dense material is for keeping the mask water resistant, so you aren't breathing in any contagion. Technically, wearing the mask inside out would also stop airborne diffusion, but if the absorbent material were outside, your chances of touching a plethora of contagions go up.

This is the inside. Thinner material is here.

This is the outside. This material is only slightly more dense for this mask.

3) Apply fasteners

The common masks sold in Japan are ones with ear loops. Take the mask and handle it by the loops only. Use your ears as hooks to keep the mask on your face.

4) Secure the mask on your nose

Remember the wire that indicates the top of the mask? That should go over the bridge of your nose. Press the wire down on your face such that the wire follows the outline of your face. This would ideally be the only time you touch the top of the mask.

5) Cover your face completely

With the wire holding onto your face and the ear loops keeping it in place, pull down the bottom of your mask to about the top of your neck. If your mask is a proper size, it shouldn't reach your neck. The point is to keep that area enclosed. This would ideally be the only time you touch the bottom of the mask.

That's it. This would be the ideal way to apply a mask. Medical professionals don't recommend touching it ever again unless it's to take it off. Once it comes off, it's best not to reuse it, although in Japan it seems most people do.

Thanks for reading, and stay safe!