COVID-19 face masks

YOUR GUIDE TO FACE MASKS AND HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN

Learn how to protect yourself against infection and recognize symptoms, and worst case, find out what to do if you get sick.

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Recent studies of COVID-19 show that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. While maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

Clean and disinfect

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

How to wear a cloth face covering

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.*

FEVER

COUGH

Homemade cloth mask

Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

*This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

Where are the latest US cases?

View confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries by state using the map updated daily by the Associated Press. Click here to view.

Steps to prevent illness

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Where is the virus spreading worldwide?

View confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries by state using the map updated daily by the Associated Press. Click here to view.

How fast is the virus spreading?

View this chart showing the growth and decline of COVID-19 inside and outside China. Click here to view.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases; Newsy; Wisconsin State Journal; smartairfilter.com; Cambridge University

Wear a facemask if you are sick

Cover coughs and sneezes

Clean your hands often

Avoid close contact

Stay home if you’re sick

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Avoid close contact

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick at the bottom of this page.

Stay home if you’re sick

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Cover coughs and sneezes

If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick. If you are NOT sick: CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Surgical masks or N-95 respirators may be in short supply and should be saved for healthcare workers.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. To disinfect: Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Options include diluting your household bleach, alcohol solutions or other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.

Clean and disinfect

What to do if sick: 10 steps to take

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to mange your health at home and help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

Stay home except to get medical care

People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home

As much as possible, stay in a specific room. Use a separate bathroom, if available. Limit contact with pets & animals: When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you must care for your pet, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor

Call ahead: If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

If you are sick, you should wear a facemask when you are around other people or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you care for others, and a sick person isn’t able to use a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), wear a facemask if you enter a room with a sick person.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Wash hands: Immediately wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean your hands often

Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. Sanitizer: If using hand sanitizer, cover all surfaces of your hands and rub until they feel dry. Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing personal household items

Do not share dishes, glasses, cups, utensils, towels, or bedding. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

Clean and disinfect: Practice routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use.

Monitor your symptoms

Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Call your doctor: Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider to tell them you have COVID-19. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. This will help keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.

Isolating yourself

Persons who are placed under active monitoring or self-monitoring should follow instructions from the local health department. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Steps to prevent illness

CORONAVIRUS SARS-COV-2

Cloth face coverings should:

Surgical mask

N95 respirator

Ventilator

NOTE: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin State Journal

Video: How effective is a mask at stopping the spread of a virus?

Stiffer, tight-fitting device that seals mouth and nose, blocking fluid droplets and 95% of small airborne particles. For health care workers in close contact with ill patients.

May help protect well people and prevent those who feel well but are infected from spreading virus, but effectiveness is unknown.

Disposable, flexible device that protects against large droplets, splashes and sprays. Can protect others from wearer’s respiratory emissions.

Machine that pushes air into airway and lungs to help person breathe.

The cloth face coverings recommended for home use by CDC are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used.

Masks, respirators and ventilators

Be secured with ties or ear loops

Include multiple layers of fabric

Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

Allow for breathing without restriction

Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering?

How does one safely remove a used cloth face covering?

Should cloth face coverings be washed regularly?

Yes. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.

A washing machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering.

Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing face coverings and wash hands immediately after removing.

- Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric - Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)

Sewing machine design

CDC: Make your own face covering

Materials

- Needle and thread (or bobby pin) - Scissors - Sewing machine

Cut fabric

Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the cloth face covering as if it was a single piece of fabric.

Fold and stitch

Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.

Run elastic through folds

Run a 6-inch length of 1/8-inch wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tight. Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the mask behind your head.

Position knots, gather sides

Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the mask on the elastic and adjust so the mask fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping.

- T-shirt

Quick cut t-shirt (no sewing)

Materials

- Scissors

Cut off 7 to 8 inches of the bottom of a t-shirt.

Cut bottom

Cut out a rectange 6 to 7 inches long. Cut middle of fabric to make straps.

Cut middle

Tie straps around neck, then over top of head.

Tie strings

- Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20”x20”) - Coffee filter

- Rubber bands (or hair ties) - Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)

Bandana face covering (no sewing)

Materials

Cut coffee filter

Fold in half

Fold in thirds

Place filter in center of folded bandana. Fold top down. Fold bottom up.

Rubber bands

Place rubber bands or hair ties about 6 inches apart.

Fold and tuck

Fold side to middle and tuck.

Fit over ears

Elastic fits around ears to hold bandana in place.

Place filter in center of folded bandana. Fold top down. Fold bottom up.

Sources: smartairfilters.com; Cambridge University

What is the best material to use?

Researchers at Cambridge University tested a wide range of household materials for effectiveness at filtering virus-sized particles and ease of breathability.

Click to compare

BREATHABILITY

FILTERING

BREATHABILITY

FILTERING

Percentage of virus-sized particles captured

89%

86%

73%

70%

68%

57%

51%

49%

Surgical mask

Tea towel

Vacuum cleaner bag

100% cotton t-shirt

Cotton blend t-shirt

Anti- microbial pillowcase

Pillow- case

Scarf

Researchers at Cambridge University tested a wide range of household materials for effectiveness at filtering virus-sized particles and ease of breathability.

Breathability compared to surgical mask: Change in pressure

-95%

-38%

-18%

-17%

17%

18%

26%

Surgical mask

Tea towel

Vacuum cleaner bag

100% cotton t-shirt

Cotton blend t-shirt

Anti- microbial pillowcase

Pillow- case

Scarf

EASIER to breath than surgical mask

HARDER to breath than surgical mask

10 inches

6 inches

Fold

Stitch

1/4 inch

1/2 inch

Fold

Stitch

Thread through

Knot

Stitch

Tuck in knot

7-8 inches

6-7 inches

Cut tie strings

Cut out

May help protect well people and prevent those who feel well but are infected from spreading virus, but effectiveness is unknown.

Disposable, flexible device that protects against large droplets, splashes and sprays. Can protect others from wearer’s respiratory emissions.

Stiffer, tight-fitting device that seals mouth and nose, blocking fluid droplets and 95% of small airborne particles. For health care workers in close contact with ill patients.

Cloth face coverings should:

BREATHABILITY

FILTERING

Percentage of virus-sized particles captured

97%

86%

71%

70%

68%

62%

49%

Surgical mask

Tea towel (2 layers)

Vacuum cleaner bag

100% cotton t-shirt (2 layers)

Cotton blend t-shirt

Antimicrobial pillowcase

Pillowcase (2 layers)

Scarf