Masking

Your Guide to Masks: how to select, properly wear, clean and store masks

To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, it is recommended that you continue to wear a mask that fits well and that you can wear consistently. 

Correct and consistent mask use is a critical step everyone can take to help prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. Masks work best when everyone wears them, but not all masks provide the same protection. When choosing a mask, look at how well it fits, how well it filters air and how many layers it has. 

Types of Masks 

Cloth masks

Cloth masks can be made from a variety of fabrics and many types of cloth masks are available.
Wear cloth mask with:
  • A proper fit over your nose, mouth and chin to prevent leaks
  • Multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric
  • Nose wire
  • Fabric that blocks light when held up to a light source

Do NOT wear cloth masks with:

  • Gaps around the sides of the face or nose
  • Exhalation valves, vents or other openings
  • Single-layer fabric or those made of thin fabric that doesn't block light
  • Wet or dirty material

Procedure Masks

Disposable procedure masks are widely avilable. They are sometimes referred to as surgical or medical procedure masks.
Wear procedure masks with:
  • A proper fit over your nose, mouth and chin to prevent leaks
  • Multiple layers of non-woven material
  • A nose wire
Do NOT wear procedure masks with:
  • Gaps around the sides of the face or nose
  • Wet or dirty material

Respirators (KN95 or N95 masks)

When choosing a respirator, look at how well it fits and read the manufacturer instructions. These instructions include information on how to wear, store, clean or properly dispose of the respirator.
Wear respirator masks with:
  • A proper fit over your nose, mouth and chin to prevent leaks
  • Multiple layers of non-woven material
  • A nose wire
Do NOT wear respirator masks:
  • With exhalation valves, vents or other openings
  • If it is hard to breathe while wearing them
  • If they are wet or dirty 
  • With other masks or respirators
Medical N-95's require fit testing, and are to be reserved for healthcare staff and are not intended to be used by the general public. 
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DO's and DON'Ts of mask wearing

DO
Choose a mask with a nose wire
  • A nose wire is a metal strip along the top of the mask
  • Nose wires prevent air from leaking out of the top
  • Bend the nose wire over your nose to fit close to your face

Use a mask fitter or brace

  • Use a fitter or brace over disposbale or cloth masks to prevent air from leaking around the edges

Check that it fits snugly over your nose, mouth and chin

  • Check for gaps by cupping your hands around the outside edges of the mask.
  • Make sure no air is flowing from the area near your eyes or from the sides of the mask.
  • If the mask has a good fit, you will feel warm air come through the front of the mask and may be able to see the mask material move in and out.

Add layers of material

2 ways to layer

  • Use a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric 
  • Wear a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask
    • The cloth mask should push the edges of the disposable mask against your face.

Knot and tuck ear loops of a 3-ply mask

  • Fold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges

Other things to consider

Certain types of facial hair, like beards, can make mask fitting difficult. People with beards can do one or more of the following:

  • Shave their beard
  • Trim the beard close to the face
  • Use a mask fitter or brace
  • Wear one disposable mask underneath a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric. The second mask should push the edges of the inner mask snugly against the face and beard.


DON'T
Combine two disposable masks
  • Disposable masks are not designed to fit tightly and wearing more than one will not improve fit.

Combine a KN95 mask with any other mask 

  • Only use one KN95 mask at a time