DON’T TURN YOUR FACE MASKS INTO PETRI DISHES
BLOG YOUR WAY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
The Power of Writing
Tips for Proper Care and Cleaning
Everyone has faced trying times over the past few months. While many activities help get us through these challenges, blogging can be one of the most impactful. Writing enables you to express your feelings and experiences, and blogging allows you to share them with others. Here are a few reasons why starting a blog can be an important part of coping with the pandemic. Connect with your readers. At times, it can feel like you are alone in the world, especially now. However, your blog can reach people who feel the same as you or who have had similar experiences as you. Also, writing down your story will inspire other people, and they may even start their own blog. In this way, you not only help yourself and others, but you also spark change in their lives. Meet new people. In addition to encouraging others, you might find a community of like- minded people through sharing your blog. You never know — from new readers and followers, you might learn of support groups to provide additional insights to your experiences. You can also find empathy and provide support to others. An online community can help you feel less isolated due to the pandemic or provide support through other challenging aspects of your life. Express your anxieties. Writing helps people cope with stressful experiences, and the pandemic has ushered a huge amount of uncertainty into their lives. Many people have felt afraid and anxious in the last eight months, and they continue to wonder what the future may hold. Your blog gives you a chance to express those fears and ease your stress. Harvard Medical School studies have shown that writing your thoughts down helps you organize ideas and even regulate emotions. With less on your mind, your body can relax.
In the span of a few months, face masks went from being something Americans only saw in hospital settings to an item we can’t leave home without. Since everyday use of face masks is still relatively new in the United States, here are some answers from Johns Hopkins Medicine to common questions regarding the proper care and cleaning of your face mask.
‘How often should I clean my face mask?’
Disposable, surgical face masks cannot be cleaned. Johns Hopkins recommends throwing surgical masks away when they are “visibly soiled or damaged.” If you wear a reusable fabric face mask, then you should wash your mask after each day of use to help prevent bacterial growth.
‘What’s the best way to clean my face mask?’
Earlier this year, a video circulated on social media claiming that you could use a rice cooker to sanitize disposable face masks. This claim is untrue. As stated previously, disposable face masks cannot be cleaned. However, fabric face masks, especially those made of cotton, can be washed with the rest of your laundry. Run them through the washing machine with hot water, then tumble dry on high heat. If you are sensitive to perfumes, use an unscented laundry detergent.
Write out your experiences, no matter what situation you find yourself in. You will help other people and especially yourself.
‘Is it safe to hand-wash face masks?’
Since fabric face masks need to be washed after each use, running a wash cycle just to clean a couple of masks can feel pretty wasteful — like doing a load of laundry only to wash the socks you wore yesterday. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website states that you can hand-wash your face masks if needed. Use hot, soapy water to wash your masks, scrub the mask for at least 20 seconds, and dry on high heat in your dryer.
‘Where should I store my cloth face masks when I’m not wearing them?’
Put used cloth face masks directly into the laundry basket when you arrive home to ensure they get cleaned in a timely manner and to prevent you from accidentally spreading germs. Have a sanitized place designated to store clean face masks only. Avoid putting face masks in your pocket or purse. Face masks are supposed to help keep us all healthy. Follow these tips to make sure your mask doesn’t become a petri dish. Cronin Law Firm | 248-258-3500
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