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How to make sure you’re wearing your mask right

By Joy Pieper, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, Purdue University

Whether or not you agree with a mandate to wear a mask, many of us will do so during our daily business. I am a professor of nursing at Purdue University, where a colleague and I teach a class detailing the history of health care over the centuries. Among other things, students discover the original reason for a cloth mask, dating back to the late 19th century, is the same as today: to protect others from the germs of those wearing them. Understanding these past practices, say the students, makes them better caregivers. With that in mind, here are fi ve ways for you to make the most of wearing a mask in public.

1. Not all masks are created equal

Cloth masks are considered appropriate for general use in public. The Mayo Clinic recommends a mask that is two-layered. This means the cute reversible one your neighbor sewed for you is approved. Not recommended: a mask with a valve. Although the wearer breathes in fi ltered air, the unfi ltered air is pushed out upon exhalation. This negates the protection for others.

2. Wash, wash, wash your hands

Before putting your mask on, wash your hands. This is a basic infection control principle. Anytime you come in contact with your face, do it with clean hands. This includes rubbing your eyes, wiping your lips, or scratching your nose. Likewise, after removing your mask, wash your hands again. Don’t mess with the mask while it’s in place. This is not the time to take a sip of your latte or snack on your beef jerky. Eat and drink in an environment where you can socially distance from others by at least six feet. If you have to adjust your mask when it’s on, clean your hands afterwards. For convenience, carry a hand sanitizer with you.

3. Does this mask make me look smart?

The mask should fi t comfortably snug, always covering your nose and mouth, and secure under the chin. Covering only the mouth is useless. Humans breathe in and out of both nose and mouth. And The number of new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continued to rise in 2019, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) annual STD surveillance report released yesterday. Of special concern were 1,127 syphilis cases reported in 2019, a 23% increase from 2018. The past few years have shown a marked increase in syphilis cases in Minnesota as well as across the United States. With syphilis becoming more common, surveillance for the disease has also needed to change. State epidemiologists recently used a new method for outbreak detection that examines an average of syphilis rates over a longer period of time. This analysis allowed for a more nuanced picture of syphilis than before. “Our improved analysis of syphilis data has shown a more detailed picture of how syphilis is impacting counties across the state,” MDH State Epidemiologist and Medical Director Dr. Ruth Lynfi eld said. “We are now able to identify hotspots earlier than before and complete a more real-time look into what is going on in these areas.” With this new method, Minnesota health offi cials found that cases, particularly in females, pregnant people, and men who have sex with men, have continued to rise across counties. This is similar to what is happening in other states. Minnesota will now be using this new, more sophisticated surveillance method to not only detect syphilis outbreaks but monitor disease trends around the state. The syphilis outbreak in north-central Minnesota that has been going on since 2016 continues. Cases have also increased in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. New infections are particularly aff ecting: Females, especially those who are pregnant or of childbearing age. Males, particularly among men who have sex with men. People who inject drugs. People experiencing homelessness. People co-infected with HIV and hepatitis A and C. Additionally, cases of congenital syphilis are increasing in Minnesota. Congenital syphilis (syphilis in a fetus or infant at birth) can cause serious complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, birth defects and infant death. In 2019, 21 cases of congenital syphilis in infants were reported, representing a 110% increase from 2018. This is the highest Minnesota has ever reported. “It’s important to let people know that syphilis is still a problem, but that screening and treatment can help avoid serious complications,” Lynfi eld said. MDH recommends regular syphilis screenings for people who are sexually active and for pregnant females. The CDC’s screening recommendations and MDH’s treatment protocol provide detailed recommendations for health care providers, and we encourage people to talk to their provider to fi nd out if they should be tested for syphilis. “Syphilis is a complicated disease that can cause serious health problems, but people often don’t recognize symptoms right away,” said Christine Jones, STD, HIV and TB section manager at MDH. “Luckily, there are many places people can be tested and treated for syphilis and other STDs across the state.”

2019 STD report key fi ndings

There were 33,725 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis reported in 2019 compared to 32,024 cases in 2018. There are disparities among communities of color and men who have sex with men. Chlamydia, the number one reported infectious disease in the state, increased by 4% to 24,535 cases in 2019. Gonorrhea remained the second most commonly reported STD in Minnesota with 8,063 cases reported in 2019, a 7% increase. Syphilis overall increased by 23% with 1,127 cases in 2019. There were 385 primary and secondary syphilis cases reported in 2019, a 32% increase. Minnesota congenital syphilis cases increased in 2019 by 110% to 21 cases. STDs are preventable through consistent and correct condom use during sex, getting tested regularly for STDs and HIV, and getting treated for positive results. MDH provides STD screening recommendations, resources and funding to many community-based programs in Minnesota. These programs provide prevention education, testing services,

photo/ Getty Images_andresr Make sure the bottom of the mask is pulled down over your chin so it covers your nose and mouth.

Always wash your hands before putting on your mask.

photo/Getty Images_ picture alliance the purpose of the mask is to block germ transmission through the air, which can occur when one exhales (spreads germs) or inhales (takes in germs) through either nose or mouth.

4. When you’re done

When it’s time to take it off , clean your hands and grab the ties or ear loops to pull the mask away from your face. Fold the mask in on itself so the outside corners are together. Do not put the mask on your forehead like a headband, or around your neck like a scarf. Place the mask in a receptacle to be laundered. And then wash your hands.

5. Clean it up

Wash the mask with other laundry using your regular detergent. If you’re using a washing machine, use the warmest possible water that’s safe for the type of cloth used to make the mask. For drying, it’s the same: Use the highest temperature possible for the fabric. Then allow to dry completely before wearing again. If hand-washing the mask, use a disinfecting bleach. Follow the directions on the product to create the appropriate dilution, then soak the mask fi ve minutes. Rinse with cool water and lay fl at to dry or hang in direct sunlight. Be careful not to stretch the fabric; that could damage the mask. As a former operating room nurse, I know that masks are uncomfortable. Unless it’s Halloween, they’re no fun to wear. But we’re not trying to have fun. We’re trying to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe. So Google search for the perfect mask to showcase your personality, and wear it correctly with pride!

This article originally appeared on The Conversation Dr. Joy Pieper graduated from St. Olaf College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing and a concentration in Management Studies. Her fi rst job as an RN was on the Surgical/ Trauma/Neuroscience Unit at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. he joined the faculty at Purdue University School of Nursing in 2016. Having a continued desire to learn and excel in the profession, particularly in the area of healthcare quality improvement, she returned to school and earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University in 2020, with a major in Executive

Health offi cials cite increase in syphilis cases as a particular concern Sexually transmitted diseases continue upward climb in Minnesota

The syphilis outbreak in north-central Minnesota that has been going on since 2016 continues. Cases have also increased in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Leadership.

photo/iStock_Hailshadow supportive care and sterile syringe access. Additionally, the MDH congenital syphilis review board examines cases of syphilis transmitted to a baby and investigates how these can be prevented. More information about STD and syphilis data, screening, and treatment can be found on the MDH website at STD Statistics.