Putting your face mask in your pocket in between using it is actually not ideal. Photo: dpa Surgical masks have become a common sight during the pandemic. Many people who use one to protect against the novel coronavirus stick it in their jacket pocket or hang it on their car’s rear-view mirror when they’re not wearing it. While the masks are meant for single-use only, can they really be safely reused? The answer is a qualified yes, but you shouldn’t stick them into your pocket. For personal, everyday use, a surgical mask can be worn more than once under certain conditions, according to infectiologist Dr Peter Walger, spokesman for the board of directors of the German Society of Hospital Hygiene (DGKH).