What Types of Face Masks Are Best for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Now that the CDC is recommending that we wear cloth coverings when we’re out in public, many people are wondering if they really work, what kind of mask is best, and how to keep them clean. Here, I’ll answer some of the most common questions I’m getting about masks and COVID-19.

Will wearing a face mask prevent COVID-19?

The CDC now recommends wearing a cloth face covering (such as a homemade mask or scarf) when you’re in public places where it’s difficult to maintain social distancing. These are places where there are usually more people — for example, at pharmacies and grocery stores.

These new recommendations were published soon after a research study showed that COVID-19 can travel up to 27 feet through the air in tiny droplets known as aerosols. That’s a lot farther than the 6 feet we’ve been told for social distancing. One study looking at patients hospitalized with the infection suggested that the virus could be transmitted through the air and contaminate hallway surfaces outside patient rooms.

Aerosols that contain the coronavirus can be formed when someone coughs, sneezes, or simply breathes out. While it’s unclear if cloth face coverings protect the person wearing them from someone who is infected, they possibly prevent people who have the infection from spreading it to other people.

It’s important to also remember the group of people that should not wear face coverings. Children under 2, people who have trouble breathing, and people who are unconscious or are unable to remove the covering on their own should not be given one. A cloth covering could potentially suffocate them. 

What type of mask is best against the coronavirus? 

There’s some evidence that wearing a cloth face covering might be better than not wearing anything to prevent droplet transmission — but it can depend on many factors, including: 

• How it fits
• If it breathes well or retains moisture
• How many layers of filtration it has
• How it’s put on and taken off
• How often it’s reused
• How it’s cleaned and how often

According to the CDC, the recommended cloth face covering:  

• Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Is secured with ties or ear loops
• Includes multiple layers of fabric
• Allows you to breathe freely
• Can be laundered and machine dried without damaging or changing the shape

There’s a lot of information right now on how to make a mask. Check out our article here with instructions and a video on how to make a mask at home. 

Also, just like seatbelts and airbags don’t substitute for safe driving, cloth face coverings are not a substitute for other preventive measures like social distancing and handwashing.

N95 masks (also called N95 respirators) and surgical masks are different from cloth face coverings. These are critical, disposable supplies that healthcare workers need to protect themselves while in close contact with COVID-19 patients, which is why the CDC recommends reserving them for healthcare workers at this time.

How do I wear a mask, and what’s the best way to wash one?

The coronavirus can survive on the surface of masks, so it’s important to learn how to properly put them on and take them off without getting germs on your hands and transferring them somewhere else. Here are some pointers adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO):

Putting a mask on

1. Put the mask on with the correct side facing out: Some masks have straps that you tie together. Others have elastic bands that go onto your head. Your handmade mask might have elastic loops for your ears. In any case, make sure you’re putting the mask on with the correct side facing out.
2. Fit your mask to your face: If your mask has a flexible band across the top, press that against your nose and cheek bones to fit the mask to your face. If your mask is made of cloth, pull the bottom edge of the cloth downward to below your chin so that the mask opens up.

Taking a mask off

1. Undo ties or unhook elastic bands: Untie your mask from the back, or if it has elastic bands, remove those from your head or ears.
2. Remove the mask without touching the front: The front of your mask could have germs on it. It’s very important not to touch the front of the mask while you are taking it off.
3. Discard or wash your mask: If you have a disposable mask, throw it away in the trash. If you have a cloth mask, it’s best to put your mask directly in your washing machine or wash tub after taking it off to prevent contaminating other parts of your home.
4. Immediately wash your hands: This will protect you in case you accidentally touched germs while taking the mask off.

Washing your cloth mask

For cloth face coverings and handmade masks, follow the CDC’s recommendations for laundering. Wash it with water and soap or detergent at the highest-temperature setting possible (according to the manufacturer’s instructions). Then dry it completely. 

Should I buy a mask or N95 respirator? 

Please reserve medical-grade masks, including surgical masks and N95 respirators, for healthcare workers and first responders. Unfortunately, we’re experiencing a shortage of these masks, and workers on the frontlines are having to improvise and reuse masks to try to stay safe as they help patients.  

As news of the COVID-19 pandemic broke, many people bought masks, and some factories making masks have closed due to the virus spreading, leaving store shelves bare. The demand for masks has gotten so high and the supply so limited that retailers such as Amazon have restricted mask purchases to first responders and healthcare facilities. This is a big reason why the CDC is recommending cloth face masks, and not surgical masks or N95 respirators, for the general public. 

How can I help hospitals and healthcare facilities with mask shortages?

If you have any unused, unexpired masks or respirators at home, those are the most needed and most helpful items to protect our frontline healthcare workers. Consider donating these to your local hospitals and health clinics.

If you work in industries where respirators are common, you might have reusable respirators. Check with your local healthcare facilities to see if they would allow you to loan or donate respirators during this time. Many reusable respirators also protect from contagious diseases like COVID-19 and would be welcome.

Finally, your local healthcare facilities might also be accepting donations of homemade masks. If you like to sew, you can pitch in by making masks. Be sure to check with the facility to see if they have a preferred pattern for you to use, and check any other requirements to be sure they are able to use what you make.

This article originally appeared on GoodRx.com