Cloth Mask Dangers

Those fabric face masks need to be washed or they can make you sick.

Take pack people across the united states are wearing cloth face masks in an effort to curb transmission of the coronavirus.

But experts say that wearing a fabric mask for long periods of time- or for several days at a time- can allow bacteria to build up and actually make you sick.

Dr. carlos baleeiro, a pulmonologist at chi memorial, says it's important to wash those cloth masks every few days.

Dr. carlos baleeiro/pulmonologist for chi memorial "they can be washed in the regular laundry.

The best recommendation is to use a warm setting on the washer, depending on the fabrics you're mixing with.

Both the detergent as well as mild heat, will deactivate the virus."

Joeli poole "officials say it's also important that you touch the outside of your mask as little as possible.

They recommend that you use the end ear loops to place the mask correctly across your face.

Then make certain it's covering both the nose and mouth."

Dr. baleeiro "if you grab your mask at the ends opposed to just grabbing the masks, you are minimizing touching the outside that gets exposed.

It's allergy season so when you touch your mask then touch your nose and face; you have just undermined the whole point of the masks."

The center for disease control recommends that everyone going out into a public space wear a face mask or covering.

But if you want it to do the job of protecting you from illness- follow the guidelines to keep it clean.

For more information and to stay update on the latest coronavirus news go to wdef dot com in chattanooga, joeli poole, news 12 now.

The chattanooga national