US government facemask advice

Spotting the article entitled Interim Public Health Guidance for the Use of Facemasks and Respirators in Non-Occupational Community Settings during an Influenza Pandemic located here, there is a wealth of useful information on mask usage during the current pandemic. The main point being, don't rely on them, and don't forget common sense. Avoidance and good hygiene form a larger part of infection control.

'Facemasks and respirators should be used in combination with other preventive measures, such as hand hygiene and social distancing [i.e. the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines 'close contact' as being 'within 6 feet'], to help reduce the risk for influenza infection during a pandemic.'

If you're in a crowded setting, or looking after someone with flu, and you have to use a mask, use and remove it correctly:

• 'Prior to putting on a facemask or respirator, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• 'Avoid touching the outside of the facepiece during and after use to help prevent contamination of hands with infectious material that may have collected there.
• 'Once worn, the disposable facemask or respirator should be removed carefully using the elastic bands or ties at the back of the head (avoid touching the facepiece) and appropriately discarded in the regular trash. If disposable facemasks and respirators are unavailable and a reusable fabric mask is used, it should be removed in the same way and laundered with normal laundry detergent and tumble-dried in a hot dryer. [No] reusable fabric masks have been evaluated by the FDA for use in preventing transmission of infectious agents, and none are legally marketed in the United States for use in infection control.
• 'After the facemask or respirator has been removed and discarded, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.'