The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that people wear cloth face coverings when they are in public settings where they may not be able to maintain six feet of distance from others. This might include trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, health clinic or similar places of significant community-based transmission. 

This is not a mandate that you must wear a face covering. It is considered an additional layer of protection to help slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  

If you wear a face covering, wash your hands before and after touching and adjusting the mask. Make sure to save medical grade masks, such as N95 respirators and surgical masks for medical professionals.

A cloth face covering is fabric that covers the nose and mouth. It can be: 

∙ A sewn mask secured with ties or straps around the head or behind the ears 

∙ A piece of fabric tied around a person's head. 

∙ Made from variety of materials, such as fleece, cotton or linen. 

∙ Factory-made or made from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts or towels. 

Be sure to wash your cloth face covering frequently, ideally after each use, or at least daily. Masks should be washed with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle. 

If you must re-wear your cloth face covering before washing, wash your hands immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face. 

Discard cloth face coverings that: 

∙ No longer cover the nose and mouth 

∙ Have stretched out or damaged ties or straps 

∙ Cannot stay on your face 

∙ Have holes or tears in the fabric

Crafty people and even those who aren't, have a variety of options for creating their own mask, here are a few that the Times staff have found helpful:

https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/ - this is a close-fitting face mask that includes a pocket for a nose wire for a closer fit, and options to include a filter. A detailed YouTube video is included as are options to create the pattern without a printer.

https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus.html

An easy pattern for a pleated face mask with a variety of options to secure it to your face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=1r2C1zGUHbU - A no-sew option made with an 18" bandana and two rubber bands.

A link to the CDC guidelines: https://tinyurl.com/wmf2tk6