Practicing social distancing and staying home is the best thing you can do to slow the spread of COVID-19, but if you do have to leave the house, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises you to cover your face beforehand. With this new recommendation, everyone is rushing to find out where to buy face masks, so we went ahead and rounded up some options below—and we'll keep updating this list as companies go in and out of stock.
With the most devastating weeks of the pandemic expected ahead, the CDC recommends all Americans use a face covering even if they're not experiencing symptoms—because asymptomatic carriers can unknowingly pass the virus on in public places like grocery stores and pharmacies. If you haven't acquired a cloth mask yet, now is the time, and brands are stepping up to produce them for citizens, essential workers, and medical professionals.
It's important to note that cloth masks are not a viable replacement for N95 respirators or surgical masks, and any non-medical worker in possession of medical-grade masks should consider donating them to a local hospital to help those on the front lines. Cloth face masks don't guarantee you won't contract or pass the virus on, but they're a voluntary public health measure we should all seriously consider, especially in hotspots like New York City, New Orleans, and Detroit. If you're unsure of where to buy face masks for yourself or your family, shop the brands below—but be aware that overwhelming demand could result in weeks-long delivery time. In the interim, you can make your own mask out of a pillowcase, dish cloth, or bandana, because even a makeshift face cover is a vital step to help protect yourself and your community.
Sanctuary
Sanctuary is creating a line of Essential Lifestyle Masks, with proceeds that will allow the company to produce medical-grade masks for the healthcare professionals who need them. The Lifestyle masks are available for pre-order and will ship the week of April 19.
5-Pack PPE Masks
Buck Mason
The retailer known for its wabi sabi (perfect imperfection) approach to menswear has a new initiative, dubbed “Masks for America.” It’s a 1-for-1 program working to donate one mask for each one sold—until they reach a million masks.
Reformation
Reformation is partnering with the City of Los Angeles on LA Protects, an initiative to organize local manufacturers to make five million non-medical masks for citizens and essential workers. The first batch is sold out, but you can join the waitlist or donate a 5-pack.
Los Angeles Apparel
This 3-pack of 100% cotton adjustable masks comes in a range of designs that will add a bit of color to the grim reality we're living in. With 20+ reviews and a five-star rating, customers noted how they're easily adjusted and were delivered in days. All purchases help fund the brand's production of surgical masks and medical gowns.
3-Pack Cotton Mask
Lekko
The Lekko 2.0 filtration scarf, a high-tech design for protection against dust and particles, has ventilation inlets that open with a zipper to increase air flow whenever you need it.
Etsy
Stay safe while supporting Etsy's independent artisans. Sellers are getting creative and producing masks spanning everything from Kente cloth to minimalist linen designs and floral print.
Washable Linen Face Mask
Handmade Cotton Face Mask
Custom Ink
If you're ordering for your family, consider Custom Ink's 12-pack of soft jersey masks, which come at an affordable $30 per pack and contour to the curves of your face.
Alice and Olivia
Get involved with Alice and Olivia's #MaskingTogether initiative and automatically donate a mask to a medical professional by pre-ordering the brand's Staceface printed mask.
Staceface Protective Mask
Alabama Chanin
Alabama Chanin's double-layered organic cotton masks are helping to support regional facilities and organizations under financial strain. Find out more about the brand's initiative here.
Hedley & Bennett
Hedley & Bennett transitioned its sewing lines from making aprons to face masks, with each purchase supporting the production of a second donated mask for essential workers. The masks are washable 100% cotton and include inner pockets for filter inserts for added protection.
The Wake Up & Fight Mask
Swaddle Designs
The founder of Swaddle Designs, who is also a registered nurse, promptly turned the baby brand's blanket manufacturing facility into a factory producing non-medical cloth face masks, available in a range of prints and pack sizes.
Jack and Mulligan
A portion of proceeds from Jack and Mulligan elastic strap masks will be donated to the CDC Foundation's Emergency Response Fund.
Make Your Own Face Mask
If you'd rather DIY your own face mask, you only need a handful of materials. Gather up some elastics (hair bands work too), fabric, and a sewing kit. You can follow an easy no-sew tutorial (like the below) or find a sewing pattern online. JOANN has a patterns you can download for free—and if you're feeling extra crafty, its "Make to Give" program is working to donate 100 million masks to medical personnel across the country.
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