Growing evidence suggests COVID-19 can spread before people show symptoms (pre-symptomatic) and from people who have coronavirus but never show symptoms (asymptomatic).
The CDC recommends wearing 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.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2 or others unable to remove the mask without assistance.
1) Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
2) Be secured with ties or ear loops
3) Include multiple layers of fabric
4) Allow for breathing without restriction
5) Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
Q&As:
Should cloth face coverings be washed or otherwise cleaned regularly? How regularly? Yes. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering? A washing machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering.
How does one safely remove a used cloth face covering? Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.
