COVID-19 and the Continuing Need for Face Masks

You have to run to the grocery store amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. You grab a surgical mask as you exit your car and walk into the grocery store. Like you, others in the store are wearing masks; but you notice that people are wearing a variety of different types of masks. Some have surgical masks like you, others have N95s, cloth masks, scarfs, bandanas. Some even have duck billed face masks. You start to wonder, which face mask should you be wearing?

Wouldn’t it make sense that surgical masks and N95 respirators would be the best option and what everyone should be wearing? After all, it’s what the healthcare community has been wearing to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Surgical masks and N95 respirators are specifically designed for optimal protection whenever you’re in close proximity of someone else, such as a first responder and those in the healthcare community. They are dealing with COVID-19 patients directly and have no other means of staying safe. They work directly with patients. Since there is a limited supply of these masks, it is critical that we save them for workers in the health fields who are on the front-line and most at-risk.

Instead, the CDC recommends the use of cloth face coverings for people to protect themselves while in public. The CDC states that cloth face coverings are an effective measure to slow the spread of the disease. Wearing a face covering is critical as individuals with COVID-19 are contagious before they begin showing symptoms. The face covering helps to prevent the spread of droplets from coughs and sneezes by keeping the droplets on the inside of the covering. It is also critical to emphasize that maintaining a social distance of 6-feet remains vital to slowing the spread of the virus.

When removing a face covering, be careful not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands immediately after removing. It’s also important to remember to wash your face covering regularly, by tossing it into a washing machine with hot, soapy water.

Cloth face coverings should:

• fit snugly, but comfortably against the side of the face and land just below the eyes
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and put in the dryer without damage or changing shape

Let’s continue to work together to end this virus and to ensure that our first responders and healthcare workers have the necessary face masks they need to stay safe as they continue to care for COVID-19 patients.