COVID-19 and cloth face masks

COVID-19 - face coverings; Coronavirus - face masks; Respiratory viruses - face coverings

In places where respiratory viruses are spreading, wearing a face mask in public helps protect other people from possible infection with viruses such as COVID-19 or the flu. Other people who wear masks help protect you from infection. Wearing a face mask may also protect you from infection.

Wearing face masks helps reduce the spray of respiratory droplets from the nose and mouth. Using face masks in public settings helps reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.

Face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19

Using face masks in public settings helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 spreads to people within close contact via small droplets sprayed into the air by someone with the disease who coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. Wearing face masks or cloth face coverings helps reduce the spray of respiratory droplets from the nose and mouth. Wearing a face mask may also protect you from infection.

How to wear a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Wearing face masks or cloth face coverings helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. For masks to work, they have to be worn properly. Choose a mask with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that completely covers your mouth and nose and fits snugly against the sides of your face, leaving no gaps. Do not wear a mask that is too loose on the sides. Do not pull the mask low on your nose, below your nose, or below your mouth or chin. Do not leave your chin or your mouth exposed or dangle the mask from one ear. Do not wear the mask in any other way that does not entirely cover your mouth and nose. Wash your hands before and after wearing the mask and use only the loops of the mask to put it on and take it off. Do not touch the front of the mask while wearing it. If you use a cloth mask, wash it and dry it daily and keep it in a clean, dry place.

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