When I worked outside at a ski mountain (mostly nights running the lifts, it helped me get through college), I wore a bandana to keep my face from freezing.

I wore it summers to keep the dust (and asbestos) out of my lungs as I worked in a factory between semesters. I also tied it around my forehead to keep the sweat out of my eyes. It just felt right.

Now the CDC is saying my trusty old red bandana (I have a blue one somewhere, too) is better than no mask at all. Folks, we’re officially scrambling to mask America — but health care workers and first responders need to come first!

We’re in “uncharted territory,” to quote the president, and the goal is to flatten the curve and be safe. So I dug out my bandana for when I head out the door. But don’t take my word for it, here’s what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted about the shortage of masks:

“In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP (health care professionals) might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort,” the CDC writes under the entry for “When No Facemasks Are Available, Options Include.”

But, the CDC adds, a bandana is, well, just a bandana.

“However, homemade masks are not considered PPE (personal protective equipment), since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.”

I’m not trying to minimize what seems to be a drastic shortage of surgical masks. I didn’t horde any beforehand and I’m not about to use one now when those treating the sick need them more.

I’m just trying to bypass someone’s sneeze cloud. (See my story here on how long the virus lingers in the environment.)

It’s the Wild West and the gunslinger is a “sticky” and invisible virus, to quote one medical expert.

Social distance. Wash your hands, often. Cover your sneezes, please. And don’t head out or go to work if you are sick.

I’ll keep reading everything on this virus and posting and printing it. We need to look out for each other. If you see me, I’ll be the one in the red bandana. My next topic has to be toilet paper. What’s up with the run on bathroom tissue?

But my bandana has helped me through some tough times. I guess it’s a ’70s thing. Gas lines, jobs hard to come by … and my bandana was always easy to grab, tie in a tight knot and get cracking. Seems like old times again.

UPDATE: An astute reader on LinkedIn (thank you Sarah) pointed out that in Asian countries, wearing masks is commonplace. They contain a sneeze, a cough. They may help stop you from touching your nose or mouth, too. I’ve also been contacted by many who are making their own masks … until medical professionals and first responders are all taken care of! Then, let’s become a mask-friendly society.

UPDATE #2: Seems this column was a week or so ahead of the curve. President Trump says health experts are now saying put some kind of cloth mask on when you head out. As I stated above, it can at least contain a sneeze or cough. We’ll get through this!