Show All Answers

1. What is a face mask?

The term ‘face mask’ refers to a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers the nose, mouth, and surrounding areas of the lower face. A face mask may be factory-made or homemade from ordinary household material. 

We do not recommend the use of a valve mask. Valve masks have a one-way valve that closes when you breathe in, so pathogens can’t get in, but opens when you breathe out. This creates an open doorway for your respiratory droplets to leave the mask and is not effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

2. Who is encouraged to wear a face mask and when?

In accordance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People, persons who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face mask indoors or outdoors where business is conducted, unless required by that business, organization, or worksite. Persons who are not fully vaccinated or are immunocompromised are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask in public settings where it is difficult to maintain a distance of six feet from others for their own protection and that of others.

3. How should I properly put on and remove my face mask?

To properly put on the face covering, practice the following.

• Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
• Determine the outside of the cloth face covering. That side will face away from you.
• Grab the cloth face covering by the ear loops and place a loop around each ear.
• Make sure the cloth face covering covers your mouth AND nose, without any gap.
• Avoid touching the front of your cloth face covering while it is in place.
• If it becomes soiled, you should replace it.

To properly remove the face covering, practice the following.

• Grab the ear loops and pull forward over your ears to remove. Avoid touching the front.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing it.
• Fold the cloth face covering so that the area facing outward is folded over itself.
• Place a cloth face covering in a plastic bag for cleaning later, avoid letting it touch the outside of the bag.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub after removing it.

4. How should I clean my face mask?

Wash your cloth face mask after each use in a washing machine or by hand using warm water and soap. Always allow your face mask to completely dry. If wearing a single-use face mask, please discard after each use. DO NOT place your mask in a microwave as that is a fire hazard and will not clean or disinfect your mask.

5. Where can I get a face mask?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has instructions on how to make your own face mask in several different methods, including machine or hand-sewn, a no-sew method with a T-shirt and scissors, and a no-sew method with a bandana. You can view detailed instructions on their website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. 

The City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS) has a supply of face masks to protect our community. If you and/or your family is in need of face masks, please contact Nicole Chute.