A day after New Jersey officials said they were reluctant to tell residents to wear masks when they go out in public amid the coronavirus, the federal government did it for them.
President Donald Trump said Friday announced the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends people wear non-medical cloth face coverings if they have to go out in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The president added that it is not a requirement but a recommendation, and said he did not yet plan to wear a mask himself. “I’m choosing not to do it,” he said.
Earlier this week the mayors of New York City and Los Angeles said their residents should wear homemade or makeshift coverings over their nose and mouth.
New Jersey State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Thursday she wasn’t opposed to people covering their faces, but she was afraid a mandate would further strain the already short supply of surgical and N95 masks.
And, state officials have said, a statewide recommendation could give people a false sense of security.
“Yes, you can wear a bandana or scarf,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday his daily coronavirus briefing. “There’s nothing wrong with that. But that is not in any way a replacement for social distancing."
“Don’t assume that makes you Superman or Superwoman,” Murphy added.
Officials do still want us to stay home, but if you have to go out for an essential errand or job, here’s what you should know about wearing a mask:
What’s the rule?
The CDC now recommends that people leaving their homes should wear non-medical cloth face-coverings.
The new guidance encourages people, especially in areas hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus, to use rudimentary coverings like T-shirts, bandannas and non-medical masks to cover their faces while outdoors. Federal officials stressed that surgical masks and N95 respirators should be left for those on the front lines of fighting the spread of the infection.
People should wear the masks at places like grocery stores and pharmacies, officials said.
What kind of mask should you wear?
You should wear a homemade mask, bandana, scarf or other type of makeshift cloth over your nose and mouth.
You should not try to buy an N95 or surgical mask. Amazon and other retailers aren’t selling medical-grade masks to the general public anymore, so that they can reserve them for medical professionals.
Wash your hands before putting the face covering on, officials recommended Friday, while noting that the masks are not a replacement for social distancing. People should continue to stay home unless they are traveling for essential services, and stay 6 feet away from others, officials said.
Why the change in recommendation?
The new CDC recommendation marks a change from its previous guidelines to only wear face coverings if you were sick or caring for a sick person who could not wear one.
Officials Friday said the change in the recommendation comes from evidence that people not exhibiting symptoms can still spread COVID-19.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force, said Thursday she was concerned that people would be lulled into a false sense of security by covering their faces, and wouldn’t abide by the more critical and effective measures to slow the spread of the virus: staying six feet apart, frequently washing their hands and refraining from touching their faces.
How do you make the face coverings?
Dozens of volunteers and companies across the state have been making cloth face masks for healthcare workers to use as an extra layer of protection over their N95 masks. You can make them for your family, too -— even if you can’t sew.
There are tutorials online for how to sew or make a no sew mask.
A study by Cambridge University, cited by Smart Air Filters, found the best materials you might have around the house to make a face mask from are vacuum cleaner bags, dish towels and cotton blend or full cotton T-shirts. The study found that a mask made from a double-layered dishtowel could be as effective as a surgical mask (97%).
Where can you buy them?
If you can’t sew and you really want a cloth surgical mask there are some online retailers that sell them, but supplies and delivery times are constantly changing. Check websites such as Amazon, AliExpress, Lowe’s and Home Depot.
How can I safely handle and wear a mask?
The World Health Organization says to:
- Clean your hands with alcohol-based sanitizer or soap and water before putting on a mask.
- Place the mask over your mouth and nose and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
- Avoid touching the mask while wearing it. If you to do touch it you should clean your hands again.
- The mask should be replaced if it gets damp and single-use masks are not supposed to be reused.
- When you take the mask off, use the straps to remove it. Do not touch the front of the mask. Discard it immediately in a closed bin and clean your hands.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.