Protect your loved ones, neighbors, and fellow Wisconsinites by wearing a mask. Science shows that wearing a well-fitting, multi-layered mask can help prevent transmission of the respiratory droplets and aerosols that spread COVID-19. Wearing a mask is one way to protect others, as well as yourself.
When you should wear a mask or respirator
Practicing layered prevention strategies, like staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, isolating and quarantining when necessary, and wearing a well-fitting mask, can help keep you and others from getting sick and out of the hospital. Knowing the COVID-19 Community Level where you live can help you decide which prevention steps are most important to keep you and your family safe.
- If you live in a county with a Low COVID-19 Community Level, it is not necessary to wear a mask in most public indoor settings. Wear a well-fitting mask or respirator if it makes you feel safer.
- If you live in a county with a Medium COVID-19 Community Level, it is also not necessary to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in most public indoor settings. Talk to your health care provider and consider wearing a mask if you are at high risk for severe illness or around someone who is at high risk for severe illness.
- If you live in a county with a High COVID-19 Community Level, wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in public indoor settings, even if you are up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.
Regardless of your COVID-19 Community level, continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others if you have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or if you are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19. Follow the specific instructions for isolation and quarantine. Wearing a mask is no longer required on public transportation (including planes, buses, and trains) traveling domestically in the U.S. and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommendthat people wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public transportation settings, especially if they are at increased risk for severe disease.
How to wear a mask
Your mask should cover both your mouth and nose, fit snugly against your face, and have at least two layers of material. Your mask should also have a nose wire to help prevent respiratory droplets and aerosols from leaking in and out around the edges. You can check for gaps by feeling for airflow around the top, side, or bottom of your mask. Learn how to improve the way your mask fits and functions.
Types of masks and respirators
All masks and respirators provide some level of protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Some masks and respirators may offer more protectionthan others but can be harder to wear consistently throughout the day. Wear the most protective mask or respirator you can that fits well and that you can wear comfortably for long periods of time, if necessary.
- Masks help reduce the amount of droplets and particles you breathe, cough, or sneeze out from reaching other people and making them sick. If they fit closely to the face, they can help provide you some protection from particles spread by others. Well-fitting disposable surgical masks offer more protection than cloth or other woven masks, but less protection than respirators.
- Respirators fit closely on the face and filter out droplets and particles from the air you breathe in, including the virus that causes COVID-19. They also prevent most of the droplets and particles that you breath, cough, or sneeze out from reaching other people and making them sick. Respirators are most effective at reducing the spread of disease, if worn properly. Popular types of respirators are the N95 and KN95s.
Although masks are less effective than respirators, they can still be effective tools to help stop the spread of disease. It is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask when protecting yourself from COVID-19. Find more information on different types of masks and respirators.
Frequently asked questions
How effective are masks at preventing the spread of the virus?
Respiratory droplets are released when someone coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads from person to person through these respiratory droplets. A mask forms a barrier that reduces the amount of respiratory droplets traveling in the air. They also reduce the amount these droplets inhaled in the nose or mouth of other people. Masks work best when everyone consistently and correctly wears them.
Studies show that a well-fitted, multi-layer face mask can block the majority of respiratory droplets from escaping into the air. This reduces the wearers’ exposure to infectious droplets by filtering them out of the air they breathe. The use of masks have been shown to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection by 70% or more in a variety of settings (for example, homes, workplaces, airplanes). However, masks are most effective when combined with other preventive measures, such as getting vaccinated.
Should I wash or reuse my mask?
Reusable masks (such as cloth masks) should be washed frequently, ideally after each use, or at least daily. Use regular laundry detergent and a warm or hot water setting. Dry on warm or high heat, or lay flat and allow to air dry completely in sunlight, if possible. Do not wear when damp. If you have a disposable face mask, you should throw it away after wearing it once.
How can I get a mask?
If you need a mask but do not have access to one, you may be able to make your own by sewing one. There is no standard design for homemade masks, but there are many patterns and instructions online from hospitals and other organizations.
If making your own mask, keep the following in mind:
- Build a mask that tightly encloses the area around the nose and mouth, from the bridge of the nose down to the chin, and extending onto the cheek beyond the corners of the mouth, so no gaps occur when talking or moving.
- Use material that is tightly woven but breathable. Possibly double-layer the fabric.
- Masks must be made from washable fabric.
- Choose a fabric that can handle high temperatures and bleach without shrinking or otherwise deforming.
- The mask should be tolerant of expected amounts of moisture from breathing.
- Suggested materials: Outer layer tea cloth, inner layer of a microfleece to wick away moisture, and an inner tea cloth layer. Use an accordion fold to mimic a hospital mask as much as possible and use a fat woven shoelace type material to bind the sides (such as quilt binding). For straps, use elastic straps that loop behind the ears.
Online instructions and patterns:
- Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin: Hand-Sewn Mask Instructions
- MAKEFACEMASKS: https://makefacemasks.com/
- Sew Good Goods: https://www.sewgoodgoods.org/face-mask-covid-19
- Deaconess Health System: How to and a video
- Providence Health System: How to and video
- YouTube: How to sew a simple Fabric Face Mask
- Allina Health: How to make a facemask
- Joan Glass: Face Mask Directions
- Facemask: A picture tutorial
- DIY: Cloth Face Mask
Is it safe for people with asthma to wear a mask?
What to know about asthma and masks during COVID-19
In addition to getting vaccinated, wearing a mask is an effective way to fight the spread of COVID-19. To prevent COVID-19 infection, the CDC, national lung organizations, and asthma doctors across the country agree that it’s especially important for people with asthma and other lung diseases to wear a mask or face covering. This is because they might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.
Common questions about people with asthma wearing a mask
Are masks safe for people with asthma?
The CDC, national lung organizations, and asthma doctors across the country agree that it is especially important people with asthma and other lung diseases to wear a mask. They all agree that masks are safe for people with controlled asthma.
What kind of mask should I wear?
- A traditional cloth mask with two or more layers of breathable fabric or a surgical mask are the best choices for someone with asthma.
- Make sure it's comfortable, covers your nose and mouth, tucks under your chin, and fits snugly against the sides of your face.
- Try different mask types if one kind is uncomfortable.
- Choose a latex-free mask if you have a latex allergy.
What kind of mask should I avoid?
- If you have asthma, avoid a tight-fitting mask like an N-95. Ask your health care provider if you need a special mask.
- Don't use masks with valves because air droplets can escape through the valves, potentially exposing people around you to the coronavirus.
Will my asthma symptoms worsen while wearing a mask?
People over age 2 with asthma should be able to breathe through cloth or standard medical masks without trouble. There is enough airflow from gaps around the mask and through it that provide plenty of oxygen.
What if I experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask?
- If a person with asthma has impaired breathing or other challenges while wearing a mask, it could be a sign of poorly controlled asthma. Follow your asthma management plan to control symptoms. If problems persist, contact your doctor right away.
- Try a different mask style to see if it is more tolerable.
- Talk more slowly, which can improve air flow.
- If you’re outside and at least 6 feet away from other people, take a break from your mask, but keep it accessible.
Can I wear a face shield instead of a mask?
Wearing a face shield alone doesn’t limit the spread of air droplets as effectively as a mask. Consider wearing a face shield with your mask if you cannot keep at least 6 feet away from other people.
Should I wear a mask during exercise?
- Exercising while wearing a mask should not trigger an asthma attack if your asthma is under control.
- During hot or humid weather, stay in air conditioning, or exercise outdoors early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are lower.
What can I do if my job requires wearing a mask?
You may be required to wear a mask as part of your job. If you have trouble breathing while wearing a mask, talk to your employer about other strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. People with asthma are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and can ask for reasonable accommodations like working from home, taking more frequent breaks, or wearing a face shield.
What are some other benefits of wearing a mask?
Wearing a mask can also help block asthma triggers like common cold viruses, flu virus, cold air, pollen, and animal dander.
Where can I get more information?
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- World Health Organization
*Adapted from materials developed by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Resources’ Asthma Program.
Resources on wearing masks
Access materials and resources on wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19: