3Ply Mask Table Etiquette + Manners
The holiday season is around the corner, and, more likely than not, you're probably going to be enjoying a meal with family or a small group of quarantine friends sooner rather than later. We already know that there is definitive etiquette for things like setting a table, how to hold specific utensils, or how to eat soup, but times have changed since the last time we were all sitting together and sharing a meal.
As you know, because of the novel COVID-19 pandemic we're still in the midst of, many states require you to wear a mask to and from your table when dining out (no matter if you're sitting inside or outside). While states mostly agree on this one rule, what to do beyond that varies on location. Some states want you to mask up in between bites, while others seem to feel that dining can be a mask-free experience so long as you and your party stay put in your designated, socially distanced spot.
These rules cover what to do on your way to and from your table and the right thing to do once you get there. Not to mention, what are you supposed to do at a Christmas or holiday dinner? Because COVID-19 table etiquette and mask manners aren't as apparent, it seems proper that we set down some socially acceptable ground rules when it comes to dining and wearing masks.
Rule #13PLY Mask (and Elbows) Off the Table
First and foremost: Don't place your dirty mask on the table! Even if you stop reading right here and now, this is the one most important thing to keep in mind when dining with other people during COVID. For the same reason we keep our napkins on our laps, chew with our mouths closed, and don't talk with our mouths full, keeping your mask off the table is just the cleanest, most appropriate thing to do. The Ceemly 3PLY mask and all other CDC-approved masks effectively trap germs and contaminants from entering your body, so the danger that comes with placing those masks where you eat is far too great to risk.
Rule #2Put it in a Bag
While it might be tempting just to put your mask on your lap, throw it in your purse, or shove it in your pocket, all of these options open you up to that pesky cross-contamination we mentioned above. If anything's been stopped by the outside of your mask, putting it in any of these places is just going to spread those contaminants around and possibly open you up to the risk of being infected. The safest, most appropriate thing you can do with your mask once the food comes to the table is to remove it carefully by the ear loops (avoiding touching the front of the mask) and place it in a breathable bag underneath your chair or beneath the table. (A paper bag, a cloth bag, or anything that allows air to flow in and out — nothing like a Ziploc that will trap moisture inside.)
Rule #3Cover That Cough
As you eat with your mask off, you might be wondering what you're supposed to do when you feel a sneeze or a cough coming on. The best thing you can do is cover up your mouth with a napkin or, yes, even the inside your removed face mask when you get the urge to sneeze or cough. The crook of your elbow is a good alternative if you can't get to a napkin or your mask fast enough, but if this happens, you should wash off your arm and your hands to be safe. According to the CDC, those germs from your cough can travel six feet or more, so covering up that cough will help keep it from spreading to others.
Rule #4You’ve Got Something on Your Chin
In states that ask diners to keep their mask on in between bites or during conversational periods without any eating or drinking, you wouldn't be wrong to assume that it'd be easier to simply lower your 3PLY mask onto your chin to keep it handy and off the table. Unfortunately, this is not proper COVID manners. When you put your mask on your chin, you run the risk of infecting your food with whatever contamination might be stuck to the outside (and, let's face it, chin straps just look ridiculous).
Rule #5Face Off
When it's time to eat, make sure you remember to actually take your mask off your face! This one might seem like a no-brainer, but, with the mouth-watering aroma of freshly cooked food titillating your senses, you might just lose track of things in the moment and end up running a perfectly good bite. Even worse, if all your TikTok nieces and nephews are joining you at the table this Thanksgiving, you might even unwillingly end up becoming a meme. No matter if you're eating out at a restaurant or dining at someone's house, just take the mask off completely while you eat.
Don’t try this at home folks
Rule #6Prioritize Sanitizing
Before and after the meal, be sure to spritz your hands with a healthy dollop of sanitizer or disinfectant spray after removing your face mask and before you put your mask back on again. That thing's been out all day collecting germs on the outside of it, so it wouldn't exactly be polite to get those germs (and any potential COVID-19 that may have been halted by the mask) all over your hands before you tear into that basket of bread and grab a piece for yourself.
Rule #7To Reuse or Not to Reuse
When the meal's done, the bill's been paid, the plates have been cleared, and everyone's stuffed, what are you supposed to do about that mask of yours? Put it back on? Discard it and get a new one? To know the answer to this, let's consider some things: Does it have food stains on it? Does it look a little haggardly? Does it have a hole or a tear (hopefully not!)? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you're better off putting on a new mask instead of reusing the one you came in wearing. That's what's so great about the 3PLY disposable masks — they're meant to be worn and discarded after a few hours. If your mask still looks okay, you can put it back on and discard it when you're safely in your car or back at home. It's best not to reuse single-use masks beyond one day, but use your own discretion with reusable or cloth masks.
Rule #8Chuck it Real Good
If your meal is done and your mask has seen better days, don't be afraid to bring out a new one and put it on before you leave the table and head home. Just make sure you know how to properly dispose of your old face mask before tossing it in the nearest trash can. Because face masks have become increasingly common pieces of litter throughout nature, it's important for you to cut the ear loops with a pair of scissors before disposal. This keeps it from getting tangled around an animal's limbs or neck. To be extra safe, feel free to put it in a disposable bag and then throw it in the trash.
The Bottom Line
As we continue to move through the 2020 holiday season, these rules can help ensure a happy and healthy family gathering for you and your loved ones. No matter if you're dining out at a restaurant, cooking a big holiday meal at home, or hosting a potluck, your ability to follow these tips, tricks, and guidelines and your willingness to wear a Ceemly 3PLY mask or other face mask will help to slow the spread of COVID for good.
