Public health experts do not consider homemade masks to be effective personal protective equipment inside our clinical environments or for those caring directly for people with COVID-19.

However, cloth face coverings such as homemade masks are recommended for personal use in the community when leaving your home for groceries or other essential items — or to give to friends, family, and neighbors for similar purposes.

Please see our step-by-step instructions for making masks (also available in Spanish and Chinese).

You can also watch this instructional video. Kaiser Permanente collaborated with volunteer Suzy Furrer of Apparel Arts on this pattern.

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