Medical face masks, including surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators (like N95 masks), should be reserved for healthcare workers, first responders and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients to ensure that communities retain access to health services. Other people should use non-medical, homemade face masks.
What You Need to Know
• Homemade masks can provide some protection to others around you when physical distancing is difficult to maintain i.e., in grocery stores, on public transit etc.
• As some people with COVID-19 can spread the virus before they develop symptoms or when they have only very mild symptoms, a mask may be used at any time
• Homemade masks have not been proven to protect the person wearing the mask