Face the facts: When and how to wear face masks

Wearing a mask is a prevention strategy that offers you an extra layer of protection from respiratory illness. This strategy can be helpful in certain settings like crowded spaces when illnesses are increasing in your community, or if you are someone you spend time with is at higher risk of getting ill.

Wearing a mask can help lower the risk of respiratory virus infection by protecting wearers from breathing in infectious particle droplets from people around them. Droplets can be transmitted by talking, coughing, sneezing and even singing. A face mask also reduces the amount of droplets you release into the air that might infect someone near you. Wearing a mask is as much for others as for you. 

How to wear a cloth face mask

According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should:

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of your face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow you to breath without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damaging or changing its shape.

Get tips from the pros, our health care workers, on how to make wearing a face mask more comfortable.

When to wear a cloth face mask

It is recommended that you wear a cloth face mask when out in public settings, especially those in which social distancing is difficult or in hotspot communities which are in the midst of significant community transmission.

Complications with use and who should not wear a cloth face mask

People who are deaf or hard of hearing face communication challenges posed by mask wearing. Clear face mask inserts, a button that alerts others that the person is deaf, video translation, and other innovative solutions are being used. Be patient and considerate if you encounter someone with these added communication challenges during a time when mask wearing is encouraged. Also, cloth face masks should not be worn by:

• children under age two
• people who have trouble breathing
• an unconscious person or anyone unable to remove their mask without assistance.

To safely put on a face mask

• Wash your hands thoroughly before putting on your mask.
• If it has ear loops: hold the mask by the loops and position over each ear.
• If it has ties: hold the mask by the upper ties and tie first, then tie the lower ties.
• Be sure your mask fits snugly on your face.
• Once it’s in position, don’t touch your mask.

To safely remove a face mask

• Take off your face mask by the ear loops or ties.
• Don’t touch your face or eyes.
• Wash your hands immediately with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to disinfect your hands.

How to clean and how often should you clean a cloth face mask

Cloth face masks should we laundered regularly in a washing machine and dryer.

How to sew a cloth face mask

• How to instructions for beginner sewers
• How-to instructions for advanced sewers

Please note, information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Guidelines and recommendations may have changed since the original publish date.