College of Human Sciences

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Dr Nikki Themistocleous (Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology, CHS) says you can communicate effectively while wearing a mask if you follow these simple tips.

If you had told me some time ago that we would all need to be wearing a face mask in public, I would not have believed you. But here we find ourselves navigating a new way of being during a global pandemic.

Wearing a face mask is compulsory for South Africans in public spaces. This is not always comfortable, but it is a necessity to keep ourselves and others safe and from spreading Covid-19. With wearing a mask, comes mask etiquette.


How to communicate effectively while wearing a mask

  • Try and maintain eye contact (without staring) to indicate to the person that you are listening or talking to them.
  • Keep the required social distance between you and the person you are speaking to, but don’t stand so far away that you have to scream to be heard.
  • Unfortunately, we do need to be mindful of how we speak, as our voice can come across as muffled. Speak clearly and audibly.
  • Relying on more non-verbal behaviour is also helpful when communicating with someone while wearing a mask, for example, nodding your head in agreement or waving to greet someone.
  • Do not remove or pull your mask down when you are speaking to someone - it defeats the purpose of wearing a mask.


How to put on and take off your mask in line with government regulations

  • Ensure that you wash and/or sanitise your hands according to national regulations before putting your mask on, before taking your mask off and after taking it off.
  • Wash the cloth or fabric masks often, if not after every use.
  • Paper masks were made for single use and should be thrown away after each use.
  • When putting your mask on or taking it off, avoid handling the front of the mask, and instead hold the mask by the straps or ear loops only.
  • Make sure the mask fits snuggly (but make sure you can breathe) and does not have gaping spaces or fit so loosely that it doesn’t protect you. Avoid touching and fiddling with your mask as much as possible while wearing it, and, if you do, wash your hands again with soap and warm water, or use the recommended hand sanitisers. Also avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose as much as possible.
  • Do not share masks or swop masks with anyone.
  • Make sure that your mask covers both your nose and your mouth completely while wearing it, and ensure that you have your mask on when you are in public, or amongst people, even if you are not ill or not displaying symptoms. Wearing your mask prevents the respiratory droplets from infecting people. Do not pull it down to your chin or neck, or pull it up to your forehead.
  • Even when wearing a mask, practice social distancing. The face mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

I hope that these tips will help you navigate the new normal we live in when it comes to mask etiquette. Keep safe and healthy.

* Compiled by Dr Nikki Themistocleous, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology & Rivonia Naidu-Hoffmeester, Communications and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences

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Publish date: 2020/08/15

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