When and How To Use Masks
- Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
- Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
- To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with COVID-19.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.
Here’s The Graphic Photos Showing When and How to Put on, Use and Take off The Mask
Technical Guidance
Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19
Click the link below to access the Guidelines
https://www.who.int/publications-detail/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak
This document provides advice on the use of masks in communities, during home care, and in health care settings in areas that have reported cases of COVID-19. It is intended for individuals in the community, public health and infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals, health care managers, health care workers (HCWs), and community health workers. This updated version includes a section on Advice to decision makers on the use of masks for healthy people in community settings.
- WHO Team : Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response, WHO Global
- Reference numbers: WHO Reference Number: WHO/2019-nCov/IPC Masks/2020.3
- Copyright: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Click the link below to access the Publication
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331695/WHO-2019-nCov-IPC_PPE_use-2020.3-eng.pdf
This document summarizes WHO recommendations for the rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE), in health care and community settings, including the handling of cargo. This document is intended for those involved in the distribution and management of PPE, as well as public health authorities and individuals in health care and community settings to understand when PPE use is most appropriate.
Myth busters
There are currently no drugs licensed for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19
Adding pepper to your soup or other meals DOES NOT prevent or cure COVID-19
COVID-19 IS NOT transmitted through houseflies
Spraying and introducing bleach or another disinfectant into your body WILL NOT protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous
Drinking methanol, ethanol or bleach DOES NOT prevent or cure COVID-19 and can be extremely dangerous
5G mobile networks DO NOT spread COVID-19
Exposing yourself to the sun or to temperatures higher than 25C degrees DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
You can recover from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Catching the new coronavirus DOES NOT mean you will have it for life. Most of the people who catch COVID-19 can recover and eliminate the virus from their bodies. If you catch the disease, make sure you treat your symptoms. If you have cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early – but call your health facility by telephone first. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or any other lung disease.
Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of health problems.
COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease
The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?
Ultra-violet (UV) lamps should not be used to disinfect hands or other areas of your skin
Thermal scanners CANNOT detect COVID-19. Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature). They cannot detect people who are infected with COVID-19. There are many causes of fever. Call your healthcare provider if you need assistance or seek immediate medical care if you have fever and live in an area with malaria or dengue.
Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?
Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?
Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?
Videos
The Advocacy
Addressing Human Rights as Key to the COVID-19 Response
Click the link below to access the publication
https://www.who.int/publications-detail/addressing-human-rights-as-key-to-the-covid-19-response
Parenting in the time of COVID-19
Social media squares
COVID-19 and violence against women
This document brings attention to the different ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to address it, such as staying at home, may exacerbate the risk of domestic violence against women. It highlights the importance of ensuring that support and medical care services for women and children affected by such violence are maintained and what health providers/services can do, including through identifying and offering referral options. It provides recommendations on what measures governments, health providers, community members and others can take to mitigate such violence and its impacts. It also provides tips for coping with stress at home and actions women who are experiencing violence or their family members can take.
Click the Link to Access the Publication
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331699/WHO-SRH-20.04-eng.pdf
Click the Link to Access the Q&A on violence against women during COVID-19
Source: World Health Organization
