It is crucial that we all wear cloth face coverings in public to slow the spread of COVID19, but you don’t need a medical-grade mask or a sewing kit to do your part.
MAKE A MASK WITH EVERYDAY ITEMS – NO SEWING REQUIRED
- Gather the following items to make a mask at home:
- A t-shirt or cotton cloth that is large enough to fold multiple times
- Scissors
- Rubber bands
- Optional: coffee filter
CLICK HERE FOR THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL’S HOW-TO VIDEO.
Consider adding a filter between layers:
CLICK HERE FOR THE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO MAKE ONE
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Any mask is better than no mask.
- Wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
- Wearing a mask is not a substitute for staying home.
- You should not increase your time in public spaces just because you are wearing a mask.
- The primary purpose of wearing a mask is to protect those around you.
- The cloth face coverings recommended 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, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
VIEW THE CDC’S GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CLOTH FACE COVERINGS TO HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.
Tips from experts on how to use a mask effectively:
NEW GUIDANCE ON MASKS IN PUBLIC: DR. SANJAY GUPTA’S CORONAVIRUS PODCAST FOR APRIL 6.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- CDC – Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission
- Best Everyday Material to Use When Creating Your Own Masks
- After watching surgeon general’s Twitter video on face masks, doctor sent him research on the best materials to use
- Stanford Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab
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Written by Alex Zarookian, Director of Investor Relations & Special Events, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee
Edited by Emily Anderson, Director of Communication, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Communication Committee