Wearing and Removing Your Mask:
- Before putting on or taking off a face mask, wash your hands with soap and water. Or use hand sanitizer.
- To put on a fabric mask, (for straps) hold the mask by the top straps and tie them together above your ears positioned on the crown of your head. Next, tie the bottom straps together below your ears at the nape of your neck. Make sure your mask is covering up to the bridge of your nose, is also covering your mouth around your chin and is snug against your face without any gaps on either side. Pinch the bendable nose piece to improve gap fit.
- (For elastic ear loops), pull either side’s elastic straps to where it rests comfortably over each ear. Make sure your mask is covering your nose at least up to its bridge, is covering your mouth around your chin and is snug against your face without any gaps on either side. Pinch the bendable nose piece to improve gap fit.
- While wearing your mask, be sure to never touch the front of it, just as you would avoid touching your face. Another thing to avoid is pulling the mask down and letting it rest under your chin. If you need to reposition your mask while you are wearing it, do so by maneuvering the rear straps instead of touching the actual face of the mask.
- To remove a mask, be sure to wash your hands prior to removing the mask. (For Straps), Start by untying the top straps and then follow with untying the bottom straps. (For elastic ear loops), simply remove from behind your ears.
- Remove and dispose of your filter immediately. Wash mask immediately or store it away from other fabrics to prevent cross contamination.
- When removing your mask after use, be careful to not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Wash your hands immediately after removing your mask.
Mask Safety:
Wearing a mask is one step we can all take to help protect other people, along with social distancing and washing our hands.
While the purpose is to protect, please understand that this mask is not a replacement for medical grade Personal Protective Equipment, and is not intended to replace other recommended measures to stop the community spread of COVID-19. Please continue to practice social distancing, washing your hands and refraining from touching your face. We recommend you consult a health care professional should you be in a circumstance that requires medical grade Personal Protective Equipment.
CDC Resources:
- Wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
- Wearing simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it, to prevent transmitting the virus to others.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on: young children under age 2; anyone who has trouble breathing; or is otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance, incapacitated, or unconscious.
- Keep in mind that recommended cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.
- The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- You can find more detailed CDC face mask information on the organization's website.