references
PNAS: “Identifying airborne transmission as the dominant route for the spread of COVID-19.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “How to Wash Cloth Face Coverings.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "How COVID-19 Spreads."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "How to Protect Yourself & Others"
World Health Organization: "Advice on the Use of Masks in the Context of COVID-19"
World Health Organization: "Q&A: Masks and COVID-19"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings"
Physics of Fluid: "Visualizing the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing respiratory jets"
The Journal of Hospital Infection: "COVID-19 and non-traditional mask use: How do various materials compare in reducing the infection risk for mask wearers?"
CDC: "Your Guide to Masks"
Science Advances: "Low-cost measurement of facemask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated"
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
Wearing a face mask in public helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Image Credit: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/GettyImages
Image Credit: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/GettyImages
Get tips on how to stay healthy, safe and sane during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Fit, fabric and construction are all important considerations when selecting a face mask.
Image Credit: by Bachova/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: by Bachova/iStock/GettyImages
Wearing a mask helps safeguard people around you. But they’re not a replacement for social distancing, per the CDC — if you’re unvaccinated, continue to maintain 6 feet of distance from others when you’re in public.
Always discard and replace filters after each use.
It might take a little trial and error to find a cloth face mask with the perfect combination of complete coverage and comfort for periods of prolonged wearing.
After washing your fabric mask, you can throw it in the dryer or air dry it in sunlight.
Image Credit: AJ_Watt/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: AJ_Watt/iStock/GettyImages
Read more stories to help you navigate the novel coronavirus pandemic:
11 Ways to Avoid Germs on Public Transportation 4 Ways to Avoid Picking Up Germs at the Grocery Store How — and How Often — to Disinfect Your Phone to Avoid Getting Sick
11 Ways to Avoid Germs on Public Transportation
4 Ways to Avoid Picking Up Germs at the Grocery Store
How — and How Often — to Disinfect Your Phone to Avoid Getting Sick
PNAS: “Identifying airborne transmission as the dominant route for the spread of COVID-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “How to Wash Cloth Face Coverings.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "How COVID-19 Spreads." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "How to Protect Yourself & Others" World Health Organization: "Advice on the Use of Masks in the Context of COVID-19" World Health Organization: "Q&A: Masks and COVID-19" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings" Physics of Fluid: "Visualizing the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing respiratory jets" The Journal of Hospital Infection: "COVID-19 and non-traditional mask use: How do various materials compare in reducing the infection risk for mask wearers?" CDC: "Your Guide to Masks" Science Advances: "Low-cost measurement of facemask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated"
