Many New Zealanders now have to regularly don a mask or face covering, but mask-wearing as a part of life is still quite new to many of us.
Dr Michelle Dickinson, aka Nanogirl, shares the latest scientific advice and some tips.
Michelle Dickinson, aka Nanogirl Photo: @medickinson / Instagram
In New Zealand's first Covid-19 lockdown, local scientists didn't recommend mask-wearing for the general public because the data didn't back that, says Dr Dickinson.
Since then we've learnt a lot about their effectiveness from what has happened other countries, particularly the United States.
If you're making your own, research has shown a mask or face covering made from two layers of quilted cotton is the cheapest and most effective way to go, she says.
Natural materials, such as cotton and silk, seem to do the job much better than nylon and acrylic.
"Something electrostatic like silk might help stop the virus from passing through."
If you're using a handkerchief or a bandana, make sure you have at least two layers of fabric over your face, she says.
And if you're going with a disposable mask just for a daily commute, recent advice is that these can be safely reused a few times but should be discarded if they're damaged, look soiled or are hard to breathe through.
In between wears, Dr Dickinson recommends storing your mask in a paper bag or breathable container.
If you have a reusable mask, there's no consistent advice on washing them, but she recommends going with a hot wash of 60 degrees or more with detergent and then drying the mask completely.
If you're bespectacled and having issues with your glasses fogging up when coupled with a mask, Dr Dickinson recommends washing them in soapy water and then air-drying them.
"It creates a little bit of film on the inside of your glasses and they're less likely to fog."
If you wear glasses, it helps to go with a mask that contains a metal nose wire which you can shape around the bridge of your nose, she says.
And whatever mask you're wearing - remember it should cover your nose as well as mouth to serve its purpose.
