#1 way to fight COVID-19: Improve your Mask(s) – NOW

On a conference call today we heard what is coming our way – a variant – more than one variants – our vaccines can fight them – but the ability of COVID-19 to spread is increasing dramatically. We will see this impact us from now to the end of March.

The only way to fight this is our preventive measures. The #1 is MASKS – and yes, double is better. Here is what you need to know. And you need to make the changes – NOW.

Increasing your effective tight-mask use – now – could protect you by as much as 90%.

Correct and consistent mask use is a critical step everyone can take to reduce their risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Masks work best when everyone wears them, but not all masks provide the same protection. How well a mask fits, how well it filters the air, and how many layers it has are all important to consider when choosing which mask to wear. Wearing a mask around people who do not live with you or when someone in your house is sick is now even more critical with the increased spread of new COVID-19 variants, some of which appear to spread more easily and quickly than the original virus that causes COVID-19.

Correct and consistent mask use is a critical step everyone can take to 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 the air, and how many layers it has. Two important ways to make sure your mask works the best:

Make sure your mask fits snugly against your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask.

Pick a mask with layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others’ out. A mask with layers will stop more respiratory droplets getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick.

For more information on science behind improving how your mask protects you, see Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19.

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 of the mask.
• Bend the nose wire over your nose to fit close to your face.

Use a Mask Fitter or Brace

• Use a mask fitter or brace over a disposable mask or a cloth mask to prevent air from leaking around the edges of the mask.

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 with each breath.

Add Layers of material

2 ways to layer

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

Make sure you can see and breathe easily

Knot and Tuck ear loops of a 3-ply mask

• Knot the ear loops of a 3-ply face mask where they join the edge of the mask
• Fold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges
• For video instructions, see: https://youtu.be/UANi8Cc71A0external icon.

Do NOT

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.

For many more specifics on mask use, go here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/mask-fit-and-filtration.html#things-to-watch-out-for