Health officials have recommended that everyone wear face coverings when out in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But many say that wearing masks incorrectly can do more harm than good.

"Just having it on though is not enough," says Dr. Alexander Salerno with Salerno Medical Associates. “It's not a fashion accessory, it's a protective barrier."

Salerno says that putting the mask on correctly is the first step to slow the spread of the virus.

"Really you should be holding the mask in the front. You should not be touching the inside of the mask at any point...and then you should apply it like so...and one loop and the other loop,” he says. "You should be covering the nose and mouth and creating a snug barrier."

Salerno says that masks should not be worn around the neck like a throat warmer or on top of the forehead. Masks should also not leave the nose exposed.

“You’re breathing through your nose. You didn’t achieve anything at this point,” he says. "Viruses and bacteria can cling to our skin and so that's not the proper way to create and maintain barrier protection, you're actually creating contamination."

Cloth masks should be washed after every use. Disposable masks are one-time-use only.