Your Guide to Masks
Improve How Your Mask Protects You
When choosing a mask, look at how well it fits, how well it filters the air, and how many layers it has. Make sure your mask fits snugly against your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask. Pick a mask with layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others’ out. A mask with layers will stop more respiratory droplets getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick.
Types of Masks
There are many types of masks you can use to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19. Cloth masks can be made from a variety of fabrics, and many types of cloth masks are available. Do not wear cloth masks with exhalation valves or vents, single layer or masks made of thin fabric that don’t block light. Disposable face masks are widely available. Do not wear disposable masks with gaps around the sides of the face or nose, or if wet or dirty.
Your Guide to Masks
Wear a mask correctly and consistently for the best protection. Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on a mask and do not touch the mask when wearing it. If you have to often touch/adjust your mask, it doesn’t fit you properly, and you may need to find a different mask or make adjustments.
Virtual National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is organizing a virtual National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine to take place February 22-24, 2021. The Forum is intended for practitioners focused on vaccine implementation, as well as people and groups that can champion vaccine uptake in communities.
Registration closes February 16, 2021.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.
February 16, 2021
US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 27,542,421 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.
CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.
In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.