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Demystifying Face masks
Wearing a face mask is certainly not an iron-clad guarantee that you won’t get sick, viruses can also transmit through the eyes and tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, can penetrate masks.

However, masks are effective at capturing droplets, which is a main transmission route of coronavirus, and some studies have estimated a roughly fivefold protection versus no barrier alone (although others have found lower levels of effectiveness).

When to use a mask?

If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

If you are likely to be in close contact with someone infected, a mask cuts the chance of the disease being passed on.

Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.

If you’re showing symptoms of coronavirus, or have been diagnosed, wearing a mask can also protect others.

Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

So masks are crucial for health and social care workers looking after patients and are also recommended for family members who need to care for someone who is ill — ideally both the patient and carer should have a mask.

However, masks will probably make little difference if you’re just walking around town or taking a bus so there is no need to bulk-buy a huge supply

If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

How to put on, use, take off and dispose of a mask?

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.