You should wear a face mask, and here’s how to do it
Fresh Market customers must wear face masks when entering the store, beginning April 14, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)
Here are tips from the Shelby County Health Department on the right way to wear face masks or face coverings:
- Wash your hands before using the mask or covering.
- You can use a scarf as a face covering but it should be made of natural fibers and have several layers or be thick.
- Make sure the covering is snug and covers your mouth, nose and chin.
- Use the ear loops to remove the mask.
- If you have a cloth mask or covering, wash it daily per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
- Do not wear the mask or covering on the tip of your nose or with your nose exposed.
- Do not leave your chin exposed.
- Do not leave gaps on the side of the mask.
- Don’t touch the mask or covering while it is on your face.
- Don’t pull the mask under your chin.
- Don’t wear it on top of your forehead.
- Don’t reuse single-use masks.
- Don’t have a false sense of security about a mask or covering. The best way to protect yourself is still to practice social distancing or stay at home and wash your hands whether your stay at home or go out.
Source: Alisa Haushalter, director of the Shelby County Health Department, and Jennifer Randle, Shelby County Health Department laboratory supervisor.
Editor’s Note: The Daily Memphian is making our coronavirus coverage accessible to all readers — no subscription needed. Our journalists continue to work around the clock to provide you with the extensive coverage you need; if you can subscribe, please do.
Masked Memphis
Form or function: the new fashion accessory, coronavirus masks, turns us all into benign bandits
Erivana Sevion, 11, struggles to get her mask to sit right as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Chef Ashton Hall wears a University of Memphis face mask on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Shelby Farms. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis student Chiemi Fujio volunteers during a food drive at the school's International Center on May 2, 2020. Many of the school’s international student population have been unable to return home while remotely finishing coursework for the semester. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Merle Norman Cosmetics owner Kelley Dennis wears a heart covered face mask on Monday, May 4, 2020, at the Cordova store. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tayy Thepro goes with the polka dot during a walk along the bluff near Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis on May 1, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis international student advisor Eddie Roe volunteers during a food drive at the school's International Center on May 2, 2020. Many of the school’s international student population have been unable to return home while remotely finishing coursework for the semester. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Taking the recommended safety measure of wearing a mask when going out in public, Jacqui Anderson walks around Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park on May 1, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Gathering for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright attends a Budget Reset Retreat on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Shelby Farms. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Teresa Andreuccetti goes for near full face protection while biking on Main Street with her dog Meme in Downtown Memphis on May 1, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
William Reynolds of Bartlett protects himself while walking at Shelby Farms as Memphians practice social distancing during workouts, dog walks and bike rides either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Terri Harris, Director of Marketing and Communications, wears a mask made by a local artist as she volunteers during a food drive at the University of Memphis International Center on May 2, 2020. Many of the school’s international student population have been unable to return home while remotely finishing coursework for the semester. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Church member Richard Lute, 71, passes out gloves as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Taking the recommended safety measure of wearing a mask when going out in public, Cynthia Sharp walks around Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park on May 1, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Taking the recommended safety measure of wearing a mask when going out in public, James Brown walks around Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park on May 1, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Shandra Phillips, known as the "Sock Lady" has expanded from her traditional stock of socks to also hawk face masks and surgical gloves on the corner of Cleveland and Poplar on May 1, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Daniel Mills shows off his sloth-inspired mask while working at Tangles Hair Studio May 6, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Collierville High School Principal Roger Jones III masks up with school spirit as staff, teachers, parents and PTSO members cheer for Collierville High School graduates driving through to pick up caps and gowns at the school on May 7, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Rene Curley volunteers during a food drive at the University of Memphis International Center on May 2, 2020. Many of the school’s international student population have been unable to return home while remotely finishing coursework for the semester. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Corrections program specialist Gloria Phillips shows a finished product as inmates at the Shelby County Correctional Center learn how to make fabric masks on April, 17, 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Blue Suede Brigade member Marcus Daniels goes with a neoprene mask complete with purge valves while walking his route along Main Street in Downtown Memphis on May 1, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dean of the Graduate School Robin Poston volunteers during a food drive at the University of Memphis International Center on May 2, 2020. Many of the school’s international student population have been unable to return home while remotely finishing coursework for the semester. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Half Shell owner Danny Shumrall poses for a portrait in his East Memphis restaurant May 4, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Diamond Sharpe sports her Harry Potter mask while walking along the bluff near Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis on May 1, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
The bronze statue of famous Italian explorer Christopher Columbus got a little virus protection of his own after someone attached a mask overnight on March 28, 2020, at Marquette Park. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
This masked gator chewing on a rubber human foot at The Half Shell May 4, 2020 gives a new meaning to the term "COVID toes." (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
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Bill Dries
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for more than 40 years.
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