Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Personal protective equipment: Questions and answers.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19. Impact assessment of non-pharmaceutical interventions against coronavirus disease 2019 and influenza in Hong Kong: An observational study. Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic. Covid-19: What is the evidence for cloth masks? BMJ. Face masks for the public during the covid-19 crisis. N95 respirators and surgical masks (face masks).Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks.In the U.S., everyone also needs to wear a mask while on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. You are considered up to date with your vaccines if you have gotten all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, when you become eligible. You're considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you get a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after you get a single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you are in an area with a high number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-19 cases, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public. Do you still need to wear a face mask after you're vaccinated?Īfter you're vaccinated, you can more safely return to doing activities that you might not have been able to do because of the pandemic. If you must use a face shield instead of a mask, choose one that wraps around the sides of your face and extends below your chin. However, wearing a face mask may not be possible in every situation. The CDC doesn't recommend using face shields instead of masks because it's unclear how much protection shields provide. Don't use face masks as a substitute for physical distancing.Don't put masks on children under age 2.Don't put masks on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove the mask without help.Throw away disposable masks after wearing them once.(They can be washed along with other laundry.) Dry them in the dryer or hang them outside in the sun. Regularly wash cloth masks in the washing machine or by hand.Wash your hands immediately after removing your mask.Remove the mask by untying it or lifting off the ear loops without touching the front of the mask or your face.Put the used mask in a sealable bag until you can get rid of it or wash it. If your mask becomes wet or dirty, switch to a clean one.If you accidentally touch your mask, wash or sanitize your hands. Don't touch your mask while wearing it.Tie it behind your head or use ear loops. Place your mask over your mouth and nose and chin.Wash or sanitize your hands before and after putting on your mask.Follow these steps for putting on and taking off your mask: Proper use, storage and cleaning of masks also affects how well they protect you. Make sure it fits snug over the nose, mouth and chin. If you wear a KN95 or N95, make sure it fits and seals close to your face.Ī child's mask should be specifically made for children in order to fit properly. And don't use another mask with a KN95 or N95. Don't add layers if they make it hard to breathe or block your vision. In that case, the cloth mask should press the edges of the medical mask against the face. Some people choose to wear a medical mask under their cloth mask. Masks with several layers offer more protection. Check with your healthcare provider to see if you should wear a mask when you're in an area with a lower number of new COVID-19 cases and people with COVID-19 in the hospital.Ĭhoose masks that have bendable nose strips, as these help prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask. If you have a weakened immune system or have a higher risk of serious illness, wear a mask that provides you with the most protection possible when you're in an area with a high number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-19 cases. The CDC says that surgical N95 masks should be reserved for health care providers. KN95s and medical masks provide the next highest level of protection. Respirators such as nonsurgical N95s give the most protection. The CDC says that you should wear the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly, fits well and is comfortable. If you're in an area with a high number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-19 cases, the CDC recommends wearing a well-fitted mask indoors in public, whether or not you're vaccinated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends masks for the general public.
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