Carrickmore healthcare worker urges people to wear masks properly

A HEALTHCARE worker and blogger has encouraged people to cover up by sharing her hints and tips for wearing a mask.

Emma McPhillips from Carrickmore has been working within the Southern Trust for the past 19 years and has been working throughout the Covid19 outbreak.

The mother of three also runs a successful blog called Enjoy Everything Emma and after seeing many people talking about the new rules, she completed a tutorial advising her followers on how to properly wear a mask.

She said, “I was watching peoples stories and already they were saying they found the masks uncomfortable, don’t like wearing them and they felt quite claustrophobic in them.

“I decided as a healthcare professional that I had a duty of care to share my hints and tips using my social media platform to help people with the masks.

“I have had the experience of wearing the masks since March.

“The simple pinch technique around the nose and covering the chin makes things feel a bit safer and more closure around the mask.

“People must cover both their nose and mouth to make it effective.

“I kept it all very simple, and demonstrating wearing the mask seemed to be very self explanatory but watching someone else doing it meant people could follow it easily.”

The Instagram video has been shared hundreds of times with many businesses sharing the tutorial with their customers.

Emma continued, “The reaction to my video has been extremely positive and I am overwhelmed by how many people shared my story.

“A lot of businesses shared it who were considering customers coming into their shops and they wanted to protect their staff while making people feel safer.”

Following the video, Emma has urged people to wear their mask properly while out in shops.

“There is a lot of emerging evidence at the minute,” said Emma.

“We are learning that multiple layers on a mask are more effective but they also need to be breathable.

“They are telling us that vents aren’t recommended and due to the fact that Covid19 spreads by droplets, coughs, sneezing and speaking, we need to be covering our faces.

“It also helps that we do not touch our face after touching different surfaces.

“We are trying to reduce the spread of the virus so it is really important that our face and nose is covered.

“Mainly we are protecting other people – It is not a replacement for social distancing and hand hygiene – It is only one element of what we need to do.

“I appreciate it is awkward, and some people might feel embarrassed but it will take some time to get used to wearing them, but it is going to be part of life,” concluded Emma.