Hands Face Space

Government Advice

Once again we are in a COVID-19 lockdown and the most important thing we can do to help to prevent the spread of this virus is to stay at home or failing that adopt the COVID advice  ie Hands, Face, Space.

The Government COVID Guidance is promoting the concept of Hands Face Space.¹

Hands, Face, Space. emphasises important elements of the guidance that everybody needs to remember: wash your hands regularly, use a face covering and maintain a safe space between you and other people…During this blog I would like to discuss the “Face” part of this guidance, wearing face coverings.

Face Coverings

So, the guidance says we should wear a face covering when in shops, on public transport, in taxis, post offices, veterinary surgeries, hospitals etc.

There are some exceptions to wearing a face covering. These can be found on the GOV.UK website

But what is classed as a face covering?

A face covering is anything that covers both the mouth and nose and sits securely round the sides of the face. This can be a scarf, bandana, handmade cloth covering, religious clothing or disposable or washable face masks.²

The reason we are being told to wear face coverings is to protect others, so in turn those “others” would then be protecting us.  So why is something that is so easy to use, are people wearing them in the wrong way, defeating the object?

I think that wearing a face covering to some means just that, wearing!  I have seen people wearing them on their forehead like a sweatband, around their necks like a scarf, over their mouths only, as if beathing through the nose doesn’t count and hanging off one ear! The research behind wearing a face covering correctly is it may reduce the spread of the coronavirus droplets helping to protect others.³

How to wear a face covering correctly

• Make sure that the face covering you choose to wear covers both your nose and mouth.
• Fits comfortably against the face
• You should be able to breath comfortably
• Bought face coverings have a wire that should fit over the nose. This should mold to the shape of the nose
• If the face covering has loops or ties, these should fit securely
• Disposable coverings should be disposed after wear, if it becomes soiled or wet
• If the fabric is washable, it should be laundered regularly and checked for damage after washing
• When removing a face covering, remove by handling the tie, straps or clips depending on the covering you have used
• Dispose of disposable face coverings sensibly in waste bins. *
• Wash hands thoroughly after removing a covering

*It is a normal occurrence now to see used disposable masks strewn on the floor and not disposed of correctly. Please dispose of these correctly, it is not other people’s responsibility to pick up your contaminated masks. Think how you would feel if a young child in your family picked one up. Gross!

We need to do our bit to help things get back to some sort of normality. It is our concern. Let us work together before it gets worse. Keep up to date by visiting the Governments website.

Please remember

Hands Face Space

^{Reference: 1,2,3 GOV.UK 4th January 2021}