Volume 26, Number 10—October 2020
Effectiveness of Cloth Masks for Protection Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
|Making cloth masks
||•Select a fabric with high thread count and fine weave.
•If using t-shirt material, cotton blend (10) may be better than pure cotton.
•Hybrid fabrics such as cotton–silk, cotton–chiffon, or cotton–flannel may be good choices (10).
•Select a fabric that is water resistant.
•Use a minimum of 2–3 layers, preferably with batting between the layers.
•Design a mask that fits and seals around the face.
•Use ties rather than ear loops because ties provide better fit.
|Putting on a cloth mask
||•Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
•Take a clean and dry cloth mask.
•Place and hold the mask over your nose and mouth. Tie upper strings first at the back of your head and then the lower set at the base of your neck. If cloth mask has loops, hold the mask over your nose and mouth and tie ear loops.
•If mask has pleats, unfold the mask from top and bottom so it covers your nose, mouth, and chin.
•Do not touch the outer layer of face masks during use.
|Taking off a cloth mask
||•Wash your hands
•Do not touch the outer surface of the face mask while removing.
•Untie the lower strings first and then upper strings. In case of ear loops, remove ear loops first and then remove the mask.
•Place the mask in a plastic zipper-sealed bag until it can be decontaminated.
•Wash your hands again after removing the mask.
|Caring for masks||•Have at least 2 masks per person, and wash masks with soap and water daily. •Cloth masks can be used for an extended period as long as they are not wet or soiled, but do not reuse them unless washed and cleaned.|
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