Be A Hero! Wear A Mask!

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Wearing a mask is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Remember to always wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands!

It’s important to wear a mask—and to wear it correctly!

How to wear your mask correctly

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on your mask.
• Put your mask over your nose and mouth and then stretch the loops over your ears. Make sure your mask fits over your nose and under your chin!
• Try to fit your mask snugly against your cheeks, with no gaps.
• Make sure you can breathe easily.
• Don’t let your mask drop down around your neck. Don’t push it up on your forehead.
• When wearing your mask, try not to touch it. If you need to touch it to keep it in the right place, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer afterward.

When to wear a mask

• Wear a mask whenever you are outside your home.
• Wear a mask whenever you are around people who don’t live with you.

How to take off your mask when you’re back at home

• Stretch the ear loops and take them off your ears.
• Holding onto the ear loops, lower the mask off your face. Fold the outside edges together.
• Put your mask in the washing machine.
• Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when taking off your mask.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after taking off your mask.

Who shouldn’t wear a mask

• Children younger than 2 years old should not wear a mask.
• Anyone who has trouble breathing should not wear a mask.
• Anyone who cannot take off a mask without help should not wear one.

Why wear a mask

• Wear a mask because you care. You care about your family, your friends, and people in your community.
• Wearing a mask helps keep you and others safe from disease.
• Wear a mask because you’re a hero. And it’s what heroes do.

M2383 (POD-12-20)

By David Buys, PhD, MSPH, CPH, Extension State Health Specialist, and Elizabeth Gregory North, Head, Agricultural Communications.

Copyright 2020 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Produced by Agricultural Communications.

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Compliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director