As a recent graduate, I feel in some ways enlightened and in many ways woefully unprepared for the real world. There’s one class that I wish was required for my classmates and I– Mask Etiquette 101.
I’ve seen numerous social media posts and news reports about the effectiveness of wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Yet then I go to Target and only half of shoppers are wearing one.
Of course, no one ever taught us how or when to wear a mask. We weren’t even encouraged to wear them until April.
Now, some cities are mandating mask-wearing. But, how do we approach the backyard BBQ or a walk with a friend? When should I absolutely wear a mask? Does it really make a difference? Is Dr. Anthony Fauci superman?
You’ll learn the answers to (most of) these questions in Mask Etiquette 101. Tuition is free, although these credits won’t transfer. The only prerequisite is an interest in preventing the spread of COVID-19. And this class is entirely online– as Michael Scott famously said, “Online courses are a viable option.” If you’re trying to learn mask etiquette, online courses are literally the only option.
Below is our syllabus.
- Why should I wear a face mask?
- What type of mask should I wear?
- When do I need to wear a mask?
- When is it OK to not wear a mask?
- How should I approach wearing a mask in social gatherings?
- Final Exam
Click each drop down to access a section of the course. Happy learning!!
Why should I wear a face mask?
We would be remiss if we didn't start with this question. If you're going to commit to wearing a mask in public, you need to know why it's effective. Read on! Masks are one of the most effective ways to slow the growth of the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous studies, such as this study from Health Affairs analyzing the spread of COVID-19 in Washington, D.C have shown how mask-wearing prevents the spread of COVID-19 and of other respiratory viruses . This article from the University of California at San Francisco has conglomerated several studies, both based in the U.S and abroad, all of which point to the effectiveness of mask wearing in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. According to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist, the “best” function of masks is to protect others from receiving the virus, but individuals “still are going to get a benefit” from wearing masks themselves. Given the fact that 80% of coronavirus cases are asymptomatic, it is possible that you are spreading the virus without necessarily experiencing the symptoms. Wearing a mask protects your friends, family, and community from becoming infected and spreading the virus further. The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation has suggested that 33,000 deaths could be prevented by October if everyone wore a mask in public. Even if you have been socially distancing, wearing a mask is still an effective and essential measure to protect yourselves and others from COVID-19. Eve ***** So you've been hearing about N95 masks a lot, but your neighbor is also selling homemade masks. Which type should you be wearing? Do you need a new one every time you go out? The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering, which can take many forms. At the very least, a mask or cloth face covering should completely cover your nose and mouth. It should have multiple layers of fabric. There are a ton of options out there for masks. While most retailers are selling masks, the CDC also has guidelines for making your own sewn or non-sewn face coverings. You can use materials like a bandana or an old cotton t-shirt. If you decide to make your own mask, make sure that you are able to wash it and wear it again. If you’re looking for a more chic mask option, check out ethical shoe brand Nisolo’s Mask Marketplace. They evaluated over 100 brands and curated the best based on style, comfort, function, and sustainability. If you think that masks can’t be stylish, one look at these masks will change your mind. There are only a few types of mask to avoid. Any face covering that isn’t properly held in place won’t be effective in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Surgical masks and N95 respirators are meant for use by medical professionals. No matter which type of mask you go with, it won’t be effective unless you know when to use it. Keep reading for more on when you need to wear a mask. ***** You know what kind of mask you need. But when should you wear it? Probably more often than you think. The CDC recommends wearing a mask or face covering whenever you are in a public place or around those that you don’t live with. That includes the grocery store, shopping, and inside restaurants. Wearing a mask is all the more important in situations in which it is difficult to practice social distancing. If you cannot avoid being within six feet of another person, you should wear a mask. Most importantly, wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing. You should definitely wear a mask if you are near someone over the age of 65 or someone who is immunocompromised. Many state and local governments have begun to issue guidelines and orders mandating mask-wearing in public. Check your local news outlet to find out if there is a mask mandate in your community. ***** Turns out, there are some situations when you don't need to use a mask! The CDC recommends wearing face masks anytime you’re in a public setting, or around others that don’t live in your household. So if you stay home all day, with people you live with, you likely don’t need to wear a mask. Guidelines from the CDC state that you do not need to wear a face mask while swimming, as the water can make a mask difficult to breathe in. Studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be able to survive in freshwater, so swimming in areas where you are not socially distanced could still potentially carry the risk of transmission. The CDC also recognizes that wearing a mask while engaging in high-intensity physical activities, like running, can cause difficulty breathing with a mask on. Their guidelines state that if you cannot wear a mask while engaging in physical activity that you should try moving outside or somewhere with “greater ventilation and air exchange”, while still remaining socially distanced. COVID-19 has been shown to spread quickly at gyms and indoor fitness centers, so exercising inside a gym without a mask could potentially be dangerous to yourself and others. Eve ***** It turns out that wearing a mask is pretty important. But do you need to wear one every time you're in public? How do you assess others' comfort levels about mask wearing? While there are clear situations when it is necessary and not necessary to wear a mask, there is some gray area. Do you need to wear a mask at an outdoor BBQ? Experts say that wearing a mask isn’t necessary outdoors, unless you’re in a crowded space. Often, it might be necessary to decide on a situation-by-situation basis– such as when spending time with extended family. If you’re not sure whether someone is comfortable with you not wearing a mask, here are a few tactful things to say: If you’d like to signal that you’d prefer if others wear a mask while you’re together, try saying one of the following: As wearing masks becomes part of our behavior, we need to respect each others’ decisions and to be comfortable expressing our own decisions regarding when we wear masks. It’s best to keep a mask in your car, your purse, or wherever else it might be accessible while you’re out. ***** Test your mask knowledge below! ***** Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed Mask Etiquette 101. As previously mentioned, these credit hours won’t transfer. But they’re incredibly valuable for the real world– which you can’t really say about Introduction to Ancient Civilizations. Wearing a mask in public is undoubtedly crucial for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Let’s make wearing a face mask a normal part of our daily lives. Read our recent posts about the global pandemic and how it is shaping society.What type of mask should I wear?
When do I need to wear a mask?
When is it OK to not wear a mask?
How should I approach wearing a mask at social gatherings?
Final Exam
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