NDP Leader Ryan Meili is encouraging Saskatchewan residents to wear cloth masks to further slow the spread of COVID-19.
Meili says every day essential workers are going to work and thousands of people are visiting pharmacies, grocery stores, medical appointments and their jobs, because they have to. So he suggests even a non-medical grade, cloth mask when leaving the house can be helpful.
On the Government of Canada website they do acknowledge that it is another way to cover your mouth and nose to prevent your respiratory droplets from contaminating others or landing on surfaces. As well, the federal government says if it stops you from touching your nose and mouth, that is also good but remember not to touch or rub your eyes.
In addition to practicing good hand hygiene while wearing it, you must wash your hands immediately before putting it on and immediately after taking it off. It should fit well and you shouldn’t share it with others.
Wearing masks – from the Government of Canada
Medical masks, including surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators (like N95 masks), must be kept for healthcare workers and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients.
Wearing a non-medical mask (for example a homemade cloth mask) in the community has not been proven to protect the person wearing it. Strict hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical (social) distancing, will reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus.
Wearing a non-medical mask is an additional measure you can take to protect others around you.
Wearing a non-medical mask is another way to cover your mouth and nose to prevent your respiratory droplets from contaminating others or landing on surfaces. Just like our recommendation not to cough into your hands (instead, cover your cough with tissues or your sleeve) a mask can reduce the chance that others are coming into contact with your respiratory droplets.
If wearing a non-medical mask makes you feel safer and stops you from touching your nose and mouth, that is also good. But remember not to touch or rub your eyes.
It is important to understand that non-medical masks have limitations and need to be used safely.
If you choose to use a non-medical face mask:
-you must wash your hands immediately before putting it on and immediately after taking it off (in addition to practicing good hand hygiene while wearing it)
-it should fit well (non-gaping)
-you should not share it with others
-Face masks can become contaminated on the outside, or when touched by your hands. When wearing a mask, take the following precautions to protect yourself:
-avoid touching your face mask while using it
-change a cloth mask as soon as it gets damp or soiled
-put it directly into the washing machine or a bag that can be emptied into the washing machine and then disposed of
-cloth masks can be laundered with other items using a hot cycle, and then dried thoroughly.
-non-medical masks that cannot be washed should be discarded and replaced as soon as they get damp, soiled or crumpled
-dispose of masks properly in a lined garbage bin
-don’t leave discarded masks in shopping carts, on the ground, etc.
-Non-medical masks alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must consistently and strictly adhere to good hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical (social) distancing.
