The Center for Disease Control is now recommending that everyone should wear a cloth face covering when out in public places to protect others in case they are unknowingly infected with the virus. Face coverings can be made using a scarf or extra cloth, and should be used in addition to physical distancing. See below for a few sew and no sew instructions provided by the CDC. The agency updated its web page for COVID-19 self-protection  as follows: Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Instructions provided by CDC.gov

Quick Cut T-shirt Face Covering (no sew method) Materials T-shirt Scissors

Bandana Face Covering (no sew method) Materials Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20”x20”) Coffee filter Rubber bands (or hair ties) Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)

Sewn Cloth Face Covering  Materials Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties) Needle and thread (or bobby pin) Scissors Sewing machine

1. Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the mask as if it was a single piece of fabric.

2. Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.

3. Run a 6-inch length of 1/8-inch wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tight. Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the mask behind your head.

4. Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the mask on the elastic and adjust so the mask fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping.

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