canada’s health minister patty hajdu is
facing criticism
after a twitter photo showed her without a face covering inside toronto’s pearson airport. hajdu said she follows health canada’s mask guidelines, only removing the mask indoors when eating or drinking.
and although there are no signs of food nor drink in this shot, perhaps hadju was on the last swallow of that airport cappuccino or minutes post-gulp of a plastic-wrapped muffin, but it brought to light, once again, the question of how to combine mask wearing and daily sustenance. what are the rules?
here’s a look at some of the best practices:
the basics
health canada
says
to wash your hands for 20 seconds before you touch your face covering to put it on, or use hand sanitizer if you’re unable to wash. according to the agency, “if you do touch your mask or face, you should immediately wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 per cent, alcohol.”
similar rules apply for taking off a mask: wash your hands before you remove it, avoid touching the front of the mask when removing it and store it in a paper bag or something that doesn’t retain moisture.
eating and drinking
as for taking it off to eat or drink, sunnybrook health services in toronto has
these suggestions
: “if you remove your mask to eat or drink, or because you are at least two metres (six feet) away from others, you should place it carefully on a clean surface or in a clean container (e.g., tupperware) with the part that was on your mouth and nose facing up. if you use a container, be sure to clean it regularly.” sunnybrook also says not to wear your mask on your chin, head or hanging off one of your ears. some restaurants are
providing clean bags
to store your masks while eating as well.