Peet Viljoen: What you need to know about face masks

LIFESTYLE NEWS - According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus.

They explain it as follows:

"The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. Therefore, it is important to stay more than one meter away from a person who is sick."

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA has recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public settings, especially where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, and this is echoed in the rules set out by South Africa's national Department of Health. Workplaces are also mandated to ensure that their employees wear the correct protective equipment, including face masks.

"When the National Disaster was announced in South Africa, we immediately repurposed our textile factory from making therapist uniforms to making fabric masks," says Peet Viljoen, well-known Pretoria philanthropist and CEO of Tammy Taylor Nails South Africa, a leader in the beauty salon industry in South Africa. "Not only do we offer these masks for retail purchase, but we have also been able to donate thousands of face masks to those less fortunate, as well as various essential workers, over the past two months. We also make masks in children's sizes, which have become very popular."

So, what exactly are the recommendations on a fabric face mask and its use? "It is important to note that fabric face masks should be worn and cleaned properly," explains Peet. "The face mask must cover the nose and mouth properly, and masks should not be lowered when speaking, coughing or sneezing. Incorrect use could put people at risk of contracting of spreading the virus."

The Department of Health recommends that people only wear a fabric mask that has been washed and ironed, and that users wash their hands before putting the mask on.

"People should ensure that the mask fits well, and is not too loose – head-ties can help with this, as they are adjustable," says Peet. "Don't touch the cloth part while you are putting on the mask, and avoid touching it while you are wearing the mask. When you do take the mask off, undo the ties, carefully fold the mask inside out, hold it by the strings, and either wash it immediately or place it in a designated container to wash later. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly after removing your mask, before you do anything else."

Fabric masks should be washed in warm, soapy water, and ironed when dry. It is advisable to have at least two fabric masks per person, so that a clean mask is always available for use.

"If everybody wears a face mask when in public, and ensures that not only are they worn correctly, but also correctly cared for, it will go a long way towards helping stop the spread of the virus," says Peet. "It may seem like a small thing to do, but often it is the small things that can have the greatest impact."

You can follow Peet’s Viljoen Journey on Twitter or Pinterest.

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