Beverly Press Cedars-Sinai Stresses Need for Properly Wearing Masks Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 03 August 2020 06:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Beverly Press Cedars-Sinai Stresses Need for Properly Wearing Masks Many members of the public are making their own cloth face coverings now that health authorities are recommending wearing a mask in public. Photo by Getty Images. Many members of the public are making their own cloth face coverings now that health authorities are recommending wearing a mask in public. Photo by Getty Images. The Beverly Press recently interviewed Rekha Murthy, MD, vice president of medical affairs and associate chief medical officer at Cedars-Sinai, about the importance of effectively using a face mask during the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Murthy's commentary comes at a time when many cities and states across the country now require face coverings to be worn in public settings to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. But to be effective, a mask must be worn the right way. "Properly using a mask is just as important as actually wearing one," Murthy told the Beverly Press. She said that the safest way to put on or take off a mask begins with washing your hands with soap and water, or cleaning them with an alcohol-based sanitizer. When placing a mask on your face, ensure both the mouth and nose are covered with no gap between your face and the mask. "Once the mask is on, avoid touching your face at all," Murthy told the newspaper. "If you have to touch your mask for any reason, immediately clean your hands with sanitizer or soap and water before and after doing so." When taking a mask off, remove it from behind, without touching the front of the covering. Discard it immediately in a closed bin, and then promptly wash or sanitize hands. Murthy also noted that every manufacturer has different rules for cleaning and reusing masks, so it's important to read those recommendations and follow them accordingly. While face coverings are a critical tool to limit the spread of COVID-19, Murthy told the Beverly Press that the public should remain vigilant about all safety measures. "Possibly the most important thing to remember is that you should not rely solely on masks," Murthy told the newspaper. "Masks should be used in combination with other preventive measures, like washing your hands and practicing physical distancing." Click here to read the complete story from the Beverly Press. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Contact Marni Usheroff marni.usheroff@cshs.org Share this release Beverly Press Cedars-Sinai Stresses Need for Properly Wearing Masks Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home