Masks 101: How To Make A Mask With Materials In Your Home During Coronavirus Pandemic

The CDC is now recommending people wear masks while grocery shopping or at any community settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While some Oklahoma communities have made this a requirement, others simply recommend masks.

Related: Guthrie Mayor Talks About Mandatory Face Masks While In Public 

Dr. Steven Crawford, with OU Medical Center, said masks are meant to protect not the wearer, but the people around them.

“Spit is actually coming out of people’s mouths while they’re talking. They have droplets of the virus in it, and those can float in the air. So, wearing a mask will help prevent that and you’re preventing transmission to the other person,” Crawford said.

According to the CDC and WHO, masks are not a substitute for all the other COVID-19 precautions like social distancing.

Crawford said some materials are more effective than others. 

The CDC recommends making a mask at home and leaving surgical masks for medical professionals.

According to Crawford, any material that does not allow spit to get through works.

A simple mask can be made in just moments using a scarf, bandana or T-shirt.

The CDC has numerous graphics and videos explaining how to create a mask out of household items.