Masks are now required in certain locations in Greene County, and it’s a good time to review how to properly wear them.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf suggests everyone to wear a mask whenever they leave their home or are not around household members. She says to properly wear a mask, make sure it covers from your nose to below your chin, and the loops are secured around the ears. Wolf notes the mask should be double-layered to provide better protection. She discourages people from purchasing N95 masks, which are still needed by health care and medical workers.

“We know that people tend to choose that, but keep in mind that there is a shortage in that kind of supply. Plus to have a good fit, you have to have an actual (respiratory) fit test done on those masks.”   

Wolf advocates against people from wearing only a face shield.

“We don’t really know how effective, it’s unknown how effective those are right now. And we really discourage just using the face shield, because it doesn’t really do much for covering your face, your nose and your mouth up close.”

Wolf advises to always wear a new and clean mask everyday. Cloth masks can be washed with regular laundry and detergent. She adds, to leave masks in the dryer at the highest setting to effectively kill as many germs as possible before re-wearing the mask.