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 ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

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 ...