Masking and COVID-19

Effective mask wearing is still an essential tool in California's fight against COVID-19. Masks help protect the mask wearer and others from virus exposure. An effective mask, like an N95, KN95, and KN94 offers the best fit and filtration.

California uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels to inform statewide masking recommendations. Californians can reference the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels to decide which prevention actions (including masking) to use depending on if their community is in the low, medium, or high risk level.

When visiting indoor crowded public spaces, people should check to see where the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels are at and follow the masking recommendation.

• When levels are high it is recommended that people who are low risk of severe illness wear masks and it is strongly recommended for those that are at higher risk for severe illness to mask and take additional precautions.

• When levels are medium people who are low risk of severe illness consider wearing masks and it is recommended for those that are at higher risk for severe illness to mask and take additional precautions.
  

• When levels are low people who are low risk of severe illness should use personal preferences to determine if they will wear a mask and people who are at higher risk for severe illness should consider wearing a mask and take additional precautions. 
  

Be sure to follow all local health rules, which may be stricter than statewide rules.

Use this toolkit to better understand how effective mask wearing helps reduce the spread of COVID-19.

See the state's Guidance on the Use of Face Coverings, Get the Most Out of Masking and Masking Tips for Children.

Share the following fact sheets, and social media with your communities. This material is downloadable and shareable.

Fact Sheets

Use the following fact sheets to share current California masking guidance and masking tips for children.

When Do You Need Your Mask? - English (PDF)​, Spanish (PDF), Arabic (PDF), Armenian (PDF), Chinese Simplified (PDF), Chinese Traditional (PDF), Hmong (PDF), Khmer (PDF), Korean (PDF), Punjabi (PDF), Russian (PDF), Tagalog (PDF), Thai (PDF), Vietnamese (PDF)

Masking Tips for Children – English (PDF)​, Spanish (PDF)

Social Media

Use the following images and message on social media.

Click on each image to enlarge, then right click and "save as."​

Kindness is Always Welcome Carousel Messaging

Upgrade Your Mask

Suggested Messaging:  Keep kids safe in school. To protect your children, family, and community against COVID-19, stay informed about: CDC COVID-19 Community Levels Local health rules, which may be more restrictive than statewide rules Your school's masking policies Find out your Community Level at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

Upgrade Your Mask

Suggested Messaging:  #COVID19 is still with us. Protect your community from COVID-19 by wearing a mask with a good fit and filtration (N95 and KN95 masks are the best). Be aware of your COVID-19 Community Level to determine when you should wear a mask in public. Make sure to follow local health rules, which may be more restrictive than statewide rules. See what your current CDC COVID-19 Community Level is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

​ Suggested Messaging: Help slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask with good fit and filtration (N95 and KN95 masks are the best). Be aware of your COVID-19 Community Level to determine when you should wear a mask in public. Make sure to follow local health rules, which may be more restrictive than statewide rules.   See what your current CDC COVID-19 Community Level is at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

Upgrade Your Child's Mask

​ Suggested Messaging: An effective mask that protects your child from #COVID19 at school should have the following: ☑️ Good fit and filtration. ☑️ Snug fit to the face, covering both the mouth and nose. ☑️ No gaps around the edges. ☑️ Material that filters air well enough to block viruses. Learn more about masking tips for your child here: https://bit.ly/CDPH_Kids_Masking

​ Suggested Messaging:  An effective mask has both good fit and filtration. However, the highest quality mask that your child will comfortably wear is better than no mask at all. Learn more about masking tips for your child here: https://bit.ly/CDPH_Kids_Masking

​ Suggested Messaging:  Knowing what mask to pick for your school-aged child can be a challenge. A good, well-fitting mask helps protect children from COVID-19 and is especially important at school. Learn more about how to choose the best mask to protect your child from COVID-19 here: https://bit.ly/CDPH_Kids_Masking

When Are Masks Required

​ Suggested Messaging: Face coverings that cover the mouth and nose are still required for everyone in healthcare settings, regardless of vaccination status. Learn more about masking guidance visit https://bit.ly/3sMoBM4

​ Suggested Messaging:  Usar mascarillas en las escuelas y guarderías ya no es requerido, pero aún es altamente recomendado para ayudar a proteger a tus hijos, familia y comunidad contra el COVID-19

Upgrade Your Mask – Spanish

​ Suggested Messaging: ​#COVID19 sigue con nosotros. Gracias por usar mascarilla, California. Por favor usa la mejor que puedas, especialmente en interiores o al viajar. Elige una con buen ajuste y filtración (las N95 y KN95 son las mejores). También es una buena opción usar doble mascarilla (una quirúrgica y una de tela encima).

Upgrage your Child's Mask – Spanish

​ Suggested Messaging:  Una mascarilla eficaz, que proteja a tu hijo de #COVID19 en la escuela, debe tener lo siguiente: ☑️ Buen ajuste y filtración. ☑️ Ajuste preciso a la cara, que cubra tanto la boca como la nariz. ☑️ No tener espacio alrededor de los bordes.  ☑️ Material que filtre el aire lo suficientemente bien como para bloquear los virus. Obtén más información sobre los consejos del uso de las mascarillas para tu hijo aquí: https://bit.ly/CDPH_Kids_Masking

​ Suggested Messaging:  Escoger la mejor mascarilla para que tu hijo use en la escuela, puede ser un desafío. Una buena mascarilla bien ajustada ayuda a proteger a los niños de COVID-19 y es especialmente importante en la escuela.   Obtén más información sobre cómo elegir la mejor mascarilla para proteger a tu hijo de COVID-19 aquí: https://bit.ly/CDPH_Kids_Masking

​ Suggested Messaging:  Una mascarilla eficaz debe tener buen ajuste y filtración, sin embargo, una mascarilla de más alta calidad, que tu hijo pueda usar cómodamente, es mejor a que ninguna. Obtén más consejos sobre el uso de mascarillas para tu hijo aquí: https://bit.ly/CDPH_Kids_Masking

When are Masks Required – Spanish

​Suggested Messaging:  Todos los que trabajan en lugares de atención médica tienen que usar una mascarilla que cubra la boca y la nariz, independientemente de su estado de vacunación. Obtén más información sobre el uso de mascarillas: https://bit.ly/34CNS3y