Face Mask for Coronavirus: Types, Best Filters, How to Make

As long as very contagious variants of the coronavirus, like Omicron, keep prolonging the pandemic, masks remain an important way to stay safer in certain situations. Depending on the spread of COVID-19, officials will continue to update mask guidance as needed. So make sure you're up to date on which masks offer you the most protection and when it's a good idea to wear them.

Here's everything you need to know, including the different types of masks available and what to look for when you buy them.

When Should You Wear a Mask?

It's important to wear a face covering in a variety of situations.

If you have COVID symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or were recently exposed to someone with the virus, wear a mask in indoor public places even if you're fully vaccinated. Do this unless your doctor tells you otherwise. In general, you don't need to wear a mask outside, where it's harder for the coronavirus to spread. But if COVID-19 cases are high in your area, consider wearing one in crowded outdoor places and for outdoor get-togethers that involve close contact with people who aren't fully vaccinated.

According to the CDC’s latest guidance, the need for face masks at any given time depends on the level of the coronavirus in your community. (No matter where you live, the CDC recommends that you stay current on your COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if you have symptoms.)

To help you make an informed choice about masking, the agency has designed a mapping tool that provides the latest COVID-19 data in your area. The map shows COVID-19 data by county. It’s color-coded green, yellow, or red, for low, medium, and high levels of virus spread. The level is based on the number of hospital beds in use, hospital admissions, and the total number of new cases in an area.

Green. There’s low community spread. Face masks are optional unless you're sick or have been exposed to COVID.

Yellow. This means there's a medium rate of infection. If you have a compromised immune system or are otherwise at high risk to get seriously ill from COVID, ask your doctor whether you should wear a mask.