Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the use of non-medical face masks to help control the spread of COVID-19.

According to Alberta Health, wearing a non-medical mask, such as a homemade cloth mask, has not been proven to protect the person wearing it. However, face coverings are a way to prevent respiratory droplets from contaminating other people or surfaces and may be helpful in protecting others around you when combined with other prevention steps.

If you do plan to use a non-medical mask, Alberta Health recommends the following steps:

• you must wash your hands immediately before putting it on, before taking it off, and immediately after taking it off
• it should fit well (non-gaping)
• do not share it with others

Additionally, you should change a cloth mask as soon as it gets damp or soiled, and make sure to put it directly into the washing machine or a bag that can be emptied into the washing machine and then disposed of. Cloth masks can be laundered with other items using a hot cycle, and then dried thoroughly.

More info from Alberta Health on using non-medical masks.

Resources for How to Make a Face Mask

How to make yourself a non-medical face mask from CBC.ca – A roundup of tutorials with sew and no-sew options.

Non-Medical Face Mask Health Resources

• Information from Alberta Health on Non-Medical Masks
• Information from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) on do-it-yourself face coverings