Good news! You don’t need to toss your expensive face masks after use. In fact, an article, published in the New York Times this week, has excellent advice and pointers on the following questions about facemask use and reuse:
- How can I safely reuse a mask?
- Is it really safe to reuse masks right now, considering how infectious Omicron is?
- What if my mask gets wet?
- Can I wash my mask or disinfect it with bleach or alcohol?
- What about treating the mask with heat or UV light?
- When is it time to throw out the mask?
- Is there any situation where I should throw it out after one use?
The most important piece of information is that if you tuck your used mask into a paper bag for several days before using it again, it will be safe to use. Don’t use a plastic bag, as it the mask needs to dry out thoroughly. The CDC has determined that the coronavirus can survive on a surface about 72 hours, so if you don’t use or touch it before that time elapses, it should be perfectly safe to wear again. The article suggests rotating several masks, each deposited in its own bag after use, so you’ll always have one ready to go.
You can find the answers to the rest of the questions above in the article “How to Reuse N95, KN95, and Other Disposable Masks,” by Joanne Chen, published 1-20-22.