The CDC released a statement Friday recommending all people to wear cloth masks to help prevent the spreading of COVID-19.

This advisory came the same day that Gov. Kay Ivey placed a stay-at-home order for Alabama until April 30. Under the order people are only able to leave their home to perform essential activities including getting food for people or pets, prescription medicine, gasoline and materials needed for work or education.

“The CDC is advising the use of non-medical, cloth-based coverings as a voluntary public health measure,” the president said during his daily briefing on the health crisis.

Many Alabamians began wearing masks even before the CDC recommendation. Several statewide health care providers and churches have been giving masks to individuals for several weeks now.

“I feel like a lot of people were already wearing masks before (the CDC recommendation) but I definitely see more now, especially with homemade masks,” said Courtney Barnes, shift supervisor at the CVS pharmacy on West Valley Avenue in Birmingham.

Hannah Hutson, an essential employee working in commercial insurance in Birmingham, was given a mask at Church of the Highlands.

Hutson believes that wearing masks is a necessary precaution. “You never know if you’re a carrier, even if you don’t have any symptoms you could still have the virus and spread it,” said Hutson. “People feel a sense of security around you while you’re wearing a mask and it helps with not passing (COVID-19) off to other people you might see at the grocery store or just walking around outside.”

CDC also recommends making your own personal mask with fabric around your home. Cloth face coverings should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing without restriction and be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.