A demonstration of the proper way to wear and remove the N95 respirator mask.
The haze is an annual occurance in Singapore occuring in the May to October period, when winds carry tiny ash particles from forest fires burning in neighbouring Sumatra, Indonesia.
Air quality is determined by the PSI (Pollutants Standards Index). A PSI reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy and above 300 is hazardous.
When PSI > 300 and you are unable to minmise outdoor activity and need to be outdoors for several hours, it is advisable to wear an N95 mask. Here's the proper way to do so.
Wearing the N95 mask: Perform hand hygiene before putting on the mask. Choose the correct size of the mask and ensure there are no defects. Hold the N95 in your palm with the nosepiece at your fingertips, and hang head straps freely below your hand. Position the N95 under your chin with the nosepiece up. While holding the N95 in place, pull the top strap over your head so it rests high on the back of your head. Pull the bottom strap over your head and position it aroud your neck, below your ears. If you have long hair, the strap should be positioned beneath your hair. Untwist the straps, and position the N95 low on your nose. Using both hands, mold the nosepiece to the shape of your nose by pushing downward and outward, while moving your fingertips down both sides of the nosepiece. Lastly, perform a fit check by placing both hands completely over the mask. If air leaks at the mask edges, adjust the straps back along the sides of your head. Perform a fit check again.
Removing the N95 mask: Pull bottom strap over your head. While maintaining hold on the bottom strap, use another hand to pull the top strap over your head. Avoid touching the front surface of the mask. To reuse, keep the N95 mask in new ziploc bag. Discard the mask at the end of the day unless it gets wet or soiled, which you should discard the mask sooner. Perform hand hygiene after disposal of the mask.
