Its fabric face covering can protect others. Fabric covers for the faces of others can protect you.
About fabric face covers
A cloth face covering does not necessarily protect the wCOVID-19earer, but can prevent transmission of the virus by the wearer to others.
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets can end up in the mouth or nose of those who are nearby or possibly be inhaled and reach the lungs. Studies and evidence on infection control report that these airborne droplets typically travel about 6 feet (about two arms apart).
Wear cloth covers for your face
The CDC recommends using cloth face covers in public settings where other measures of social distancing are difficult to maintain, such as in grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.
Wearing cloth covers for your face can slow the spread of the virus and help prevent those who may have the virus from unknowingly passing it on to others.
Cloth face covers can be made from household items.
A woman with a face covering in detail showing how the fabric barrier helps contain respiratory droplets she exhales
Avoid spreading by asymptomatic people
While people who are sick or know they have COVID-19 should isolate themselves at home, COVID-19 can be spread through people who have no symptoms and are unaware that they are infected. This is why it is important that we all practice social distancing (keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people) and wearing cloth face covers in public settings. Fabric face covers provide an additional layer of protection to help prevent respiratory droplets from moving through the air and infecting others.
How to make fabric covers for your face
CDC Recommendations for Homemade Cloth Face Covers
Who should NOT use cloth face covers: children under 2 years of age and people who are having difficulty breathing, or who are unconscious, disabled, or unable to remove them without assistance
The CDC recommends using cloth face covers in public settings where other measures of social distancing are difficult to maintain, such as in grocery stores and pharmacies.
Simple face cloth covers can be made at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Who should NOT use cloth face covers: children under 2 years of age and people who are having difficulty breathing, or who are unconscious, disabled, or unable to remove them without assistance
Fabric face covers are NOT surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Surgical masks and N-95 respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers and other members of the emergency response medical staff, as recommended by the CDC guide.
How to use fabric face covers
The use of cloth face covers is an additional measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive measures and social distancing in public settings.
Who should NOT use cloth face covers: children under 2 years of age and people who are having difficulty breathing, or who are unconscious, disabled, or unable to remove them without help
Fabric face covers are NOT surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Surgical masks and N-95 respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers and other members of the emergency response medical staff, as recommended by the CDC guide.
Use the face cover correctly
Wash your hands before putting on the face covering
Position it so that it covers your nose and mouth, and secure it under your chin
Try to fit the sides of the face
Make sure you can breathe easily
Fit the cloth mask to your face. The mask should cover from below the chin to above the nose, and the bridge of the nose should be pressed to achieve a good fit.
People complying with social distancing guidelines
Use the face cover to protect others
Wear a face covering to help protect others in case you are infected but have no symptoms
Wear the face cover at all times while in public
Do not put the cover around the neck or on the forehead
Do not touch the face cover and if you do, wash your hands
Have daily health habits
Stay at least 6 feet away from other people
Avoid contact with people who are sick
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
Use a hand sanitizer if you don’t have soap and water
Illustration of two people with face mask at a distance of 6 feet from each other
Take off the face cloth cover
Take off the face cloth cover carefully when you get home
Untie the straps behind your head or stretch the ear bands
Handle it only with ear straps or bands
Fold the outer ends
Put the cover in the washing machine (learn more about how to wash fabric face covers)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when removing the cover, and wash your hands immediately after removing it.