the pandemic were scarce . However , people should be aware that similarly to following directions on a box of food for preparation directions , masks have directions that include country of origin , expiration date and most importantly directions for use including the number of hours that you should wear them . Furthermore , similarly to how technology and food gets recalled , education around ensuring masks are breathable without restriction , how to inspect masks for defects , and proper reporting and discarding if you detect defects is important , yet something rarely considered during evaluation of mask effectiveness .

Notably , many healthcare protocols that are implemented in community settings are derived from healthcare settings , as it relates to messaging about hand hygiene and proper mask wearing . While many heard “ just wear the mask ”— this led to many healthcare professionals observing people mishandle masks . Similar to many infection preventionists , we know that emphasis on mask education could have made a difference in COVID-19 outcomes and still can . People ’ s mistrust and belief that masks do not work can be negated with sharing the risks associated with improper handling , use and by providing education about mask safety .

Shanina Knighton , PhD , RN , CIC , is an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University .

References :

1 . Jefferson T , et al . Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses . Cochrane Database Syst . Rev . ( 2023 ) doi : 10.1002 / 14651858 . CD006207 . pub6 .

2 . Easwaran V , et al . Examining factors influencing public knowledge and practice of proper face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic : a cross-sectional study . PeerJ 12 , e16889 ( 2024 ).

3 . Kõljalg S , et al . High level bacterial contamination of secondary school students ’ mobile phones . Germs 7 , 73 – 77 ( 2017 ).

4 . Fucini G-B , et al . Sinks in patient rooms in ICUs are associated with higher rates of hospital-acquired infection : a retrospective analysis of 552 ICUs . J . Hosp . Infect . 139 , 99 – 105 ( 2023 ).

5 . Abney SE , et al . Toilet hygiene — review and research needs . J . Appl . Microbiol . 131 , 2705 – 2714 ( 2021 ).

6 . CDC . Use and Care of Masks . https :// www . cdc . gov / coronavirus / 2019-ncov / prevent-getting-sick / about-face-coverings . html .

7 . FTA . Using Your Safety Management System ( SMS ) to Mitigate Infectious Disease and Respiratory Hazard Exposure . https :// www . transit . dot . gov / regulations-and-programs / safety / using-your-safety-management-system-sms-mitigate-infectious-disease .

8 . Burridge HC , et al . The ventilation of buildings and other mitigating measures for COVID-19 : a focus on wintertime . Proc . Math . Phys . Eng . Sci . 477 , 20200855 .

9 . Liu S and Deng Z . Transmission and infection risk of COVID-19 when people coughing in an elevator . Build . Environ . 238 , 110343 ( 2023 ).

10 . Health C for D and R . Face Masks , Barrier Face Coverings , Surgical Masks , and Respirators for COVID-19 . FDA ( 2024 ).

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