Fit is key. If a mask doesn’t fit well, it can allow droplets to leak in or out. Look for masks that have nose wires to allow for a tight fit over your nose. A snug fit on the face is also desired.

The CDC recommends using a mask fitter or brace to improve the fit of your face mask for better COVID-19 protection. A mask fitter is a small, frame-like device that’s usually made of solid or elastic ...

Home-made cloth face masks likely need a minimum of two layers, and preferably three, to prevent the dispersal of viral droplets from the nose and mouth that are associated with the spread of COVID-19 ...

If you only have a single-layer or loose-fitting mask, it may be smart to wear two at once. To double up, wear one cloth mask over another, or wear a cloth mask over a surgical mask. Experts have long ...

If possible, wear a surgical mask (aka one of the disposable masks usually made of blue paper) as your first layer, then add a cloth mask on top, Dr. Subramanian said. That's because the cloth mask ...

GREENSBORO, N.C. — If you're going to wear a mask, you want to make sure it really protects you. Health experts say one of these masks is far better at protecting you than the other. To show you why ...

Amid a slow vaccine rollout and expanding reports of a highly contagious new variant of the COVID-19 virus, masks are increasingly recognized as a critical tool in slowing the pandemic. But how do you ...

Catherine Clase is a member of the Cloth Mask Knowledge Exchange, a research and knowledge translation group which includes industry stakeholders. Industry stakeholders contribute to the Cloth Mask ...