Are they "required" anywhere here? I've only heard the CDC suggests they be worn when out and about.

Yes. They are required in NY if you cannot social distance so for example on the subway or in a store. I think I just read today that they are also required in Pennsylvania when you are in stores or out in public but I could be wrong.

Yes, I was in a store in the suburban NY metro area this morning and they were turning away people who did not have masks. It is really a shame this country does not have their act together to provide them.

I bought some cloth masks a few weeks ago right before the CDC came out with their suggestion. A local seamstress shop was making them. It turns out that now that masks are required here, there is a big elastic shortage in the area. So not only is there a shortage of masks to buy, but there is a shortage of materials to make them.

Some counties in Florida require that masks are worn when out in public.

Allison, at least 4 towns around me now require people over the age of 5 to wear a mask when in a store or other essential business. They are taking the CDC recommendation seriously. I’m not sure that the CDC can mandate requirements of the general population, can they?

Yes elastic shortage here too. I don’t sew but dug through some old stuff and found a couple scarves and some leftover fabric. I did a test run of the no sew masks with rubber bands. Worked pretty well but the fabric is kind of thick and makes it a bit difficult to breath. We also have a couple lightweight neck gaiters that would do. I’d really like some quality disposable masks but they are no where to be found. I ordered some fabric masks that may be here in a month. I save my one N95 mask for grocery shopping which is a bit more crowded than the drugstore. That’s the only places I go.

We are going to need to find more for DH’s employees when they are able to come back to work. They can have plenty of distance but he wants everyone to wear a mask to be safe.

In LA county, customers of essential businesses are required to wear masks. In my county(orange) it's strongly recommended. Some stores are preventing you from entering if you don't have a mask.

Masks are required outside in my county in California if you can’t maintain 6 ft. of separation and inside anywhere that isn’t your home.

They are currently providing them to health care providers, who need them the most.

I've been able to order 6 masks the end of last week and received within 2 days. I ordered filters on Amazon and received in 3 days (not the 7-10 stated on the website).

The lesson to be learned from this experience is everyone needs to be prepared (in their homes) for the next virus. Just like those that live in tornado, fire and earthquake prone areas.

I heard that strips from elastic bandages can be used, but probably not for the sewn-in loops. And there are many patterns using t-shirts and even socks! For now, I have handkerchiefs with ponytail holders, DH has an N95 from a home project (it’s way too tight, I probably bought it for me).

Some of our grocery stores are 'requiring' them but I've also read on local fb groups that they aren't turning people away - haven't been in a while so I'll see but I do plan to wear mine.

In that perfect world which I've yet to figure out how to find, yes we would be supplied masks as would our health care workers.

If you have bungee cords, cut them open. They are made of elastic. I got masks through eBay although it took a long time for,them to get here. I have ten paper masks and one home made. Imwill have to check and see what the rules are now in PA.

Allison, my mother always had masks around, she was afraid of illness. But when I went looking for them last month, I couldn’t find any. She probably gave them to her caregivers while they were working for her.

bpath, we always have various masks (by the box) around for home improvement projects, but if this is going to be a long term thing, we wanted washable options.

The lesson to be learned from this experience is everyone needs to be prepared (in their homes) for the next virus.

It goes far beyond that. There's only so much preparation an individual can do. Think about our food supply.

Excellent segment on 60 Minutes tonight.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jose-andres-chef-feeding-coronavirus-impact-60-minutes-2020-04-19/

In Maryland, masks must be worn in stores and on public transportation. I made no sew masks with bandanas and loose pony tail holders. I am contemplating ordering several masks from etsy or ebay.

JoJo, I’m still,seeing people in stores without one. My son went to KOP Costco and said only one person was not wearing one. Of course the purpose of the mask is to protect others from us, so those without them are playing with the lives of others. As I understand, all shoppers at an essential businesses are now required to wear a mask. I hope it is enforced.

Essential businesses are required to provide workers with masks and workers are required to wear them.

A few towns in my area have ordered bulk masks to distribute to citizens.

Travis County, here in TX, requires them.

Yes, Zinnia, I realize it goes beyond masks, but masks is what this thread is/was about.

Thanks. We are not required to wear them here, but many are. Today someone said they were asked to leave a grocery store because they were not wearing a mask (don't know when this was or why they were not wearing a mask). Yet an employee was eating while prepping food and not wearing a mask.

I'm in San Mateo county, and along with 4 other Bay area counties, we're required to wear masks when we go out in public starting April 22. Also recommended when walking or running in the trail.

This is a no brainer. The idea one has to mandate or make a law tells us where we are at when talking SELFISH and care for others! The idea that anyone would go into a building of any sort where social distancing isn't easy without a mask BLOWS MY MIND!! Two weeks ago I saw several masks when doing my early grocery shopping--this week

just ONE!! I haven't made a ton of them--maybe 20 but for everyone I have made I know three other's making them too. This is very doable. DH and I resorted to using pony tail bands, cutting them, super gluing them the proper length then glutting them together. I was quite SHOCKED not to see one store clerk wearing a mask! Then I get home and read they are the latest population showing a rise in getting this virus and dying!! If we all wore masks whenever in a store and if the clerks all wore them you would decrease these numbers by as much as 60%!!! Probably more. And I will say it again STOP and DESIST with all the salutations for niceties sake clerks!! Every-time you greet someone you are putting their life IN DANGER. Stop releasing droplets into your work environment FOR NO REASON!! Smile/wave/nod but keep your lips pressed SHUT!!!

The bungee cord elastic is not practical to use. I cut one open. It was full of very thin rubber band type material that breaks easily.

It does seem odd to require something that there is an acknowledged shortage of, and without any real specifications. I have disposable surgical masks, and 2 sets of masks I got from Etsy. The fit and therefore efficacy varies quite a bit. For now the reqmt seems to be
just tie anything at all over your mouth and nose. Better than nothing but it'd be nice to have something designed by someone other than an Etsy crafter; someone with a medical POV.

For anyone making masks using t-shirt materials as the elastic and making them as ties is an option if you can't find elastic and it also is much more comfortable as there is less chafing. So find an old t-shirt and cut it up for the ties.

There are nurses (or so they say) posting mask making videos on YouTube. Most include a pocket to add a filter (coffee, or paper towel) of some sort.

via FaceTime the other day, my granddaughter and I made a mask from a sock. No sewing, it took under 5 minutes. You do add a paper towel to it. Of all the masks I have tried, the sock is by far the most comfortable.

Remember that the mask is to protect other people from you. Meaning it should hold any droplets you sprew towards your face.

Easy sock mask

I do not think the government should provide masks to the general public. To essential workers, yes, or ideally the employer should supply masks to their employees. Masks, or I should say, materials for masks, are readily available (at least in my area). I have heard elastic is getting hard to find, but there are many other options. I know of several ladies who have made masks and given out to those who need them. There is even a person making disposable (paper) masks at leaving (in matching little tube bags) on a large board just outside one of our local grocery stores. We have fabric masks that are several layers thick and they have a pocket for a liner. Liners can be cut from coffee filters, disposable diapers, etc. Most anyone probably has materials for a mask in their home.

maddielee - loved that sock/mask video. I don't think there's anything simpler and finally a use for all those orphaned, unmatched socks from laundry.

I've made a dozen or so fabric masks in 2 different styles - a 'formed' mask and a pleated one. And while the initial mask did take me about 35 minutes it went much quicker for the subsequent ones. There are many tutorials online from nurses showing how to make them.

Even my son made one from a bandana, coffee filter and his wife's pony tail holder.

You don't need elastic - you can make the bandana mask with shoelaces - still no sewing required, just loop the shoelace around the bandana where the rubber band or hair band would go and then tie it behind your head. Honestly it is easy.

Yes, Zinnia, I realize it goes beyond masks, but masks is what this thread is/was about.

I realize that. I was simply responding to the comment you made about preparations: The lesson to be learned from this experience is everyone needs to be prepared (in their homes) for the next virus.

A worldwide pandemic is quite different than a localized disaster when it comes to preparations.

CA is getting pretty strict about masks (as they should) and they aren't actually requiring masks so much as requiring face coverings. Because ANYBODY can do that. But masks are a nice upgrade.

The poor souls out there working do need masks (instead of the legally mandated mere face coverings), the safer and more comfortable the better.

Interesting times, huh?

By the way, those N95 masks with the valves that many Californians have for fire season are NOT really good for this: they let you spread disease through that one way valve.

Oregon does not require masks, but the few times I've ventured out I've seen most people are wearing them. My husband has started wearing them as well-he's got a lot of dust masks since his work involves working with fiberglass and concrete.

I ordered four masks from a local seamstress, they're pleated and have a pocket and ties rather than elastic, which I prefer since I can't stand having anything around my ears. I've heard there is an elastic shortage in my area. And I recently gave away all the hair ties I had sine I cut my hair short (now almost regretting that since the grow out is fierce!)

I've read that the blue shop towels mechanics use are equivalent to N95 masks. We also have an abundance of those, so I slip a folded one in to my mask when I use it. I've found also that the material of the mask is important, one of mine is just a cotton material and it's too scratchy for my face, but the flannel lined one is wonderful, if a little warm after wearing for a few hours. It's fine for quick grocery/Costco runs.

Next Door, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy are great resources to find seamstresses who make cloth masks.

Oh gosh, there a number of knuckleheads on our local nextdoor.com continually arguing against masks, curfews, closings, etc. in the name of their rights & 'personal freedom'. What about other people's right to health & safety?

I've been using no-sew handkerchief & hair ties masks and for the very few times I've needed them they work fine. I used a tiny safety pin to secure the ends together. I like that I can dismantle and launder them easily. I'm staying out of all stores for now and doing only curbside pickups, anyway.

I believe most orders/recommendations say 'face covering', not necessarily 'wear a mask'.

And knit fabrics are not recommended because they have holes that open up when stretched.

^^^Thanks for chiming into this 5 month old thread 🙄

Actually, the timing of the revival is interesting since it was just reported that our government was planning to send a mask to every household in the US back in April. Not sure yet why that move was stopped, but had they done that, many lives might have been saved by showing Americans that the government knew masks were indeed important in containing the spread of the virus.

Oh, well, we wouldn't want to "alarm" anyone, now would we?

People became alarmed on their own - Clorox wipes, TP and paper towel shortage ring a bell? Canned food shelves empty grocery stores?

I think that people became alarmed because there was no clear, consistent, truthful message coming from the T. Administration. And there still isn't.

Of course. But his CYA efforts du jour are about trying to sound heroic for not "causing a national panic."

Honestly, he just blows around with explanations like one of these stupid things.

True -- and every other word out of his mouth, especially in front of one of his crowds, is all about inciting panic or worse.