Wearing a mask in public is basically the norm these days (or at least, it should be). But let’s be real, surgical masks aren’t perfect. Namely, they can have a loose fit and allow potentially infected particles to get to your nose and mouth.
Well, dentist Dr. Olivia Cuid, has a hack for making surgical masks fit better over your face, and it’s genius. (BTW: This can work for cloth face masks, too.)
Cuid shared the hack in a TikTok that’s already racked up 395,000 views. With a surgical-style mask, “the sides of your face are left very exposed to the outside,” Cuid points out. So, she recommends this trick:
- Fold your mask in half
- Tie a knot with the ear loops on each side as close as possible to the mask
- Open up your mask
- There will be a little opening on the sides next to the ear loop, so tuck that in underneath the ear loops on each side
- Wear your (better-fitting) mask
“In absence of N95s, this might be a good alternative,” Cuid says, showing how the mask fits well against her face.
People low-key freaked in the comments. “Wait this is so helpful thank you for sharing!!” one wrote. “What a clever idea,” another said. “Me and my pea head thank you!” someone else chimed in.
@oliviacuidmdHighly requested 60s version of my viral mask hack ##fyp ##doctorsoftiktok ##masktutorial ##covid19 ##viral ##maskhack ##learnontiktok♬ original sound – oliviacuidmd
Cuid’s TikTok is already making the rounds. Katie Couric shared it on Instagram, and Kristen Bell reposted it, too.
BRB: Gotta go work on some masks…