Can face masks be shared?
Can face masks be shared?
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No. Personal protective equipment that cannot be disinfected, like a cloth or surgical mask, should not be shared between people. Over time, these masks become dirty and have wear and tear. Since masks come into contact with our mouth and nose, they easily become contaminated and should not be shared.
No. Personal protective equipment that cannot be disinfected, like a cloth or surgical mask, should not be shared between people. Over time, these masks become dirty and have wear and tear. Since masks come into contact with our mouth and nose, they easily become contaminated and should not be shared.
Publication
What our experts say
No. Personal protective equipment that cannot be disinfected, like a cloth or surgical mask, should not be shared between people. Over time, these masks become dirty and have wear and tear. Since masks come into contact with our mouth and nose, they easily become contaminated and should not be shared.
No. Personal protective equipment that cannot be disinfected, like a cloth or surgical mask, should not be shared between people. Over time, these masks become dirty and have wear and tear. Since masks come into contact with our mouth and nose, they easily become contaminated and should not be shared.
Context and background
Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be single-person use and not shared between people unless it is able to be disinfected, like faceshields or goggles. Masks become contaminated during use and pose a risk if shared between people. The only exception to this would be if a fabric mask is appropriately washed and dried in a dryer (high temp) between uses.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be single-person use and not shared between people unless it is able to be disinfected, like faceshields or goggles. Masks become contaminated during use and pose a risk if shared between people. The only exception to this would be if a fabric mask is appropriately washed and dried in a dryer (high temp) between uses.
Resources
- N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Face Masks (U.S. FDA)
- N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Face Masks (U.S. FDA)
