Face Masks
Wearing a face mask that covers your nose and mouth protects you and people around you from COVID-19.
COVID-19 is spread through the air on tiny droplets that come from the mouth and nose of someone who is carrying the virus when they breathe, talk, sing, cough, or sneeze. Wearing a face mask keeps these droplets from traveling far and infecting people.
Your face mask should:
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cover both your nose and mouth
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fit snugly but comfortably against the side of your face without gaps
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be secured with ties or ear loops
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include multiple layers of fabric
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allow you to breathe easily
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be washable in hot water in a washing machine
The CDC offers instructions for making face coverings:
You should still wear a face mask:
anytime you travel on a plane, bus, train, or other public transportation,
when you will be in public settings and around people who don't live in your home, and
when someone in your home is sick with symptoms of COVID.
You may not need to wear a mask when you are by yourself outside or distanced from other people.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19:
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You do not need to wear a mask outdoors except at crowded events.
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You can be indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing your mask.
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You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people and without masks, as long as you keep a six-foot distance, unless those people or anyone they live with is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID.
Even if you don't feel sick, you may spread COVID-19 on to someone else through tiny droplets from your nose and mouth. Please wear a face mask when you will be in close contact with people who are not vaccinated or are at high risk for severe illness if they get COVID. Protect your family and our community - it's the neighborly way!
CDC explains:
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how to put on your face mask,
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how it should fit on your face, and
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how to take it off correctly.
You should wash your face mask each time you use it. You can clean it easily in your washing machine with your other laundry. Your can also hand wash it using bleach water.
Doctors say children older than 2 years old should wear a face mask when they have to leave their home and go somewhere where they won't be able to stay 6 feet away from others.