Masks: Dos & Don’ts

If you have not been vaccinated, you should still wear a well-fitted mask in public settings. Even if you are up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a mask if you are in a community where COVID-19 cases are straining local hospitals.

Guidance that changes over time or differs by state or by county can be confusing. Wearing a mask can help maximize protection from circulating variants and can help prevent spreading the virus to others. COVID-19 is still circulating, causing illness, hospitalizations, and deaths.

You should wear a mask:

indoors in public depending on the COVID-19 level in your community
in schools (K-12) in communities with a high COVID-19 level
if you or someone close to you has a weakened immune system or is at high risk for severe illness
when you are sick, or caring for someone who is sick
if you wish to, based on personal preference and personal risk
where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance

Layered prevention strategies — like staying up to date on vaccines and wearing masks — can help prevent severe illness and reduce strain on the healthcare system. It is also important to continue to wash hands frequently, cover coughs/sneezes, and stay home when sick.

If you wear a mask, be sure to follow these dos and don’ts:

Dos	Don’ts
Do wear a mask that fits snuggly from nose to chin	Don’t wear your mask below the nose, around your neck, or on your forehead
Do wear a face mask in public around others who do not live in your household	Don’t stop social distancing (stay at least 6 feet apart)
Do stay at least 6 feet apart from others in public	Don’t take your mask off in public if you are within 6 feet of others
Do wash your hands frequently	Don’t touch your mask more than necessary
Do wear a mask consistently and correctly to stop respiratory droplets from getting inside or escaping from your mask	Don’t use a single-layer cloth mask or other loose-fitting mask