There will come a time when you will leave your house and venture into public places. For now, it might be the grocery store or a doctor’s clinic, but as the social distancing measures steadily ease, you can do more errands or return to work. The new normal will be different – seating spaced far apart, clear barriers to protect workers, and you will be wearing a face mask.
In many places, you are required to use a cloth face covering. Around 25-50% of individuals can be infectious and spread the virus without any symptoms.
Although a cloth face mask is not foolproof protection from COVID-19, it is better than no mask at all. It serves as an essential layer for physical distancing when used along with hand hygiene.
What makes a good cloth face mask?
- Sew or no-sew. Either option works well if used properly. If you have the skills, you can create a mask at home or order locally or online. Check the mask designs recommended by reliable sources such as the CDC.
- Fabric. Remember that the WHO updated the guidelines for non-medical masks. The cloth masks that are made of cotton bandana material must have at least 4 layers. All the cloth masks must use at least 3 layers of a tightly woven, washable fabric. The inner layer that covers the mouth and nose should be cotton or cotton blend that can absorb moisture while the outer layer must be polypropylene or polyester blends that can block contamination.
- Filter. Some masks are built with a space to insert a filter to add an extra layer of protection. It has been suggested by the CDC to add coffee filters to homemade masks.
- Fit. The face mask should have a secure fit from nose to under the chin and back towards the ears.
- Ease of use. Depending on the mask you will use, make sure that you can readily untie it or remove the loops from your face. You should be able to pull the mask away from your face without touching the front part of the mask.
- Durability. The cloth mask must be washed in hot water after every use. When the mask loses shape, you cannot use it anymore.
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LEARN MORE
Learn how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workplaces and school admissions or check the available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/face-masks-importance-battle-with-covid19
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200504-coronavirus-what-is-the-best-kind-of-face-mask
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-face-mask