Frequently Asked Questions
The National Department of Health (NDoH) requested in April 2020 that the public not purchase surgical masks or N95 masks, as these should be reserved for health professionals
“The public should not wear medical masks – these are reserved as personal protective equipment for our healthcare workers who are on the front line of our battle against COVID-19.
Our healthcare workers need medical-grade masks and respirators to stay healthy so they can save the lives of people who have COVID-19. Let us give them the tools to fight that battle.” https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2020/04/10/dr-zweli-mkhize-recommends-the-widespread-use-of-cloth-masks/
The National Department of Health (NDoH) requested in April 2020 that everyone wear a cloth mask in public. The most important reason is so that non-symptomatic individuals who have the virus but are not aware of it do not spread it to further people.
The NDoH has recommended that the public use ‘fabric’ face masks as an additional preventative measure against COVID-19. The virus is mainly spread through the exhalation of respiratory droplets by an infected person when talking, shouting, singing, coughing and sneezing. Thus the use of a cloth face mask can be an added prevention measure to limit community transmission.
“Wearing masks is important. We want to recommend widespread use of masks. We are recommending that people can use cloth masks, just make sure there’s a three layer kind of thing.”
Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases issued the following guidelines for using cloth barrier masks:
- Do not touch your face mask once you have put it on – fidgeting with the mask should be avoided as you should avoid touching your face with your hands
- Never lower the face mask, but particularly when you are coughing, sneezing or speaking
- Never touch the inside of the face mask with your hands
- Your face mask should cover the whole of your mouth and nose
- Wash your facemask with soap and water in between uses, and iron once dry
Yes you can breathe through a cloth mask. In our experience it does feel strange the first time you wear a mask, but the health benefit far outweighs the initial discomfort. Soon you will be happily wearing your Shield Cloth Mask, which can be worn for many hours at a time.
You will be helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, and keeping your family and loved ones safe.
You are supporting a local business to survive and pay salaries during this pandemic.
We have a flat fee of R100 per delivery to anywhere in South Africa.
Any orders over R300 will include free delivery
Make sure you wash your Shield Face Mask with soap after use. Once it is dry you should iron it.
It is vitally important that you continue to adhere to all other recommended health regimes. These include:
- Wash your hand regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitiser (with at least 70% alcohol) if you do not have access to soap and water
- Practice social distancing by keeping at least 1 meter between yourself and others
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands
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