How To Tell if You Still Need To Wear a Mask (2024)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should still wear a mask to prevent COVID-19, but there are no official mandates. It's still a good idea to wear a mask to protect you and others against SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID.

You can check the hospital admission level in your county to decide whether you need to wear a mask. The CDC says it's best to wear a mask if the hospital admission level in your area is high, especially if you're at risk for severe illness. It's also essential to wear a mask indoors if you've been exposed to the virus or tested positive, and you must be around others in your home.

There's not always a clear answer as to when you need to wear a mask in specific situations. Read on to learn about COVID mask mandates and when you still need to wear one.

As of November 2024, there are no official mask mandates, but it's important to check the requirements in your local area. The CDC advises wearing a mask if you live in an area with a high hospital admission level.

The CDC recommends that people with a high risk of severe illness wear masks in areas with medium to high hospital admission levels. You might consider wearing a mask if you're caring for or living with someone who might become severely ill.

When Should You Where a Mask?

You may consider masking up before entering certain places, including a healthcare provider's office and public transportation. The CDC also advises wearing a mask if you have an active COVID infection, regardless of your vaccination status.

You're most contagious during the first five days after you test positive. Continue wearing a mask through day 11 if you must be around others in your home and public places.

Local Requirements

Local requirements may vary depending on where you're located, although there are no official mask mandates. It's important to check your local public health department to see what the most up-to-date requirements are.

Transmission in Your Community

Consider the risk of spreading and getting COVID in your area before you visit public places. The CDC generally advises wearing a mask if you live in an area with a high hospital admission level and are in a crowded indoor area with poor ventilation. It's also essential to practice social distancing and keep six feet away from others if possible.

Here are a few places in which you might consider masking up:

  • Grocery store:Wearing a mask is typically optional for customers unless local or state guidelines indicate otherwise. Keeping yourself safe by limiting your time in the store can be beneficial, even if you don't wear a mask. Make a list of what you need ahead of time, and be purposeful while you're shopping.
  • Healthcare providers' offices:A non-hospital facility will typically inform you of preventive measures, including wearing a mask during the visit. Call ahead if you have an appointment, especially if you may have COVID. Consider whether the risks outweigh the benefits, particularly if you're caring for or in a high-risk group.
  • Home:The decision to wear a mask in your home—or someone else's—depends on different factors. You may consider it, for example, if someone in the house is at risk for severe illness, has an active infection, or has been recently exposed to the virus.
  • Outdoors:COVID is more likely to spread in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation than outdoors. You might mask up outdoors if you're in a crowded area and are not fully vaccinated or near others who may not be vaccinated.
  • Public transportation:It's unnecessary to wear a mask in your car. Consider wearing a mask, in contrast, if you use public transit. Airplanes, buses, light rails, and subways are often crowded, poorly ventilated spaces where SARS-CoV-2 can transmit easily. Wash your hands after coming off public transportation.

Your Comfort Level

It's important to consider your comfort level when deciding whether you should still wear a mask to protect against COVID. You can wear a mask in public places if it makes you feel comfortable. You can also continue to mask up if you aren't at risk for severe illness.

Your Risk of Severe COVID-19

Anyone can spread and get COVID. Wearing a mask helps protect you and others, especially those who may be at risk for severe illness, such as:

  • Adults older than 65
  • Infants younger than 6 months
  • People with an underlying health condition or weak immune system
  • Pregnant people and those who recently gave birth
  • Those who are unvaccinated

Wear a high-quality mask or respirator to protect yourself and others from COVID. A high-quality mask is comfortable, fits you properly, and offers the most protection. A mask will fit closely to your face to block out respiratory droplets. Respirators, in contrast, will filter out droplets in the air and contain droplets you breathe out.

There are different types of masks, including:

  • Cloth masks
  • Disposable surgical masks
  • KN95s
  • N95s, which are respirators

Cloth masks are less protective than KN95s and N95s, which are the most protective against COVID. Cover your mouth and nose with the material, regardless of the type you choose. Make sure your mask or respirator fits properly, meaning there are no gaps between the material and your face.

You may consider wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath a cloth mask for added protection. Other ways to increase protection include knotting the ear loops of your mask or choosing one that ties behind your neck and head.

Other Considerations

It's important to clean and store use masks properly to protect against COVID. Here are some other things to consider when using a mask:

  • Don't touch your face when removing your mask.Grab the strings behind your head, or stretch the ear loops and then fold the corners to remove it.
  • Make sure your mask is placed firmly over your mouth and nose
  • Throw away disposable masks after each use
  • Use ear loops or tie your mask behind your head to ensure it's properly fitted
  • Wash your cloth masks regularly in a washing machine or by hand
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after putting on and taking off your mask

The CDC advises wearing a mask if you live in an area with a hospital admission level, especially if you're at risk for severe illness. Make sure you wear a mask if you have an active COVID infection and must be around others. KN95s and N95s are the most protective against COVID. A disposable surgical mask with a cloth mask on top of it also offers some protection.

The information in this story is accurate as of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do face shields protect against COVID?

    Face shields are curved plastic panels that you place around your head and cover your face. These devices can help protect against COVID, but research has shown that they’re not as effective as masks. It's best to use face shields in addition to masks.

  • Do you need to wear a mask after you're vaccinated?

    The CDC recommends wearing a mask, even if you're vaccinated if the hospital admission level in your area is high. Masking up helps protect yourself and others, especially those who are at risk for severe illness.

    It's also possible for breakthrough cases of COVID, or infection that occurs when you're fully vaccinated, to occur. Wearing a mask can protect you against breakthrough cases.

  • How long can you wear a mask for?

    It's important to throw away disposable masks after each use and to wash your cloth masks regularly. You'll want to change your mask more frequently if it becomes soiled or wet.

How To Tell if You Still Need To Wear a Mask (2024)
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