Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19: Directions on how to wear them and some easy do it yourself designs

It is a CDC recommendation to wear 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. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. You should also be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.

Keep reading to learn about the proper way to wear a face mask, how to make your own and an easy how to video from the CDC.

How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering

Cloth face coverings should do all of the following:

  • fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

  • be secured with ties or ear loops

  • include multiple layers of fabric

  • allow for breathing without restriction

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

Proper way to wear face mask

Proper way to wear face mask

Now here are a few easy to make face masks and one that can be done for those that have a knack for sewing.

Materials
T-shirt
Scissors

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Materials
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 mask.png

Materials
Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric
Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)
Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
Scissors
Sewing machine

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Emily Browning