The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Tuesday announce it was encouraging Mississippians to wear face masks while in public to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are challenging to maintain (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies).

According to the CDC, a significant portion of individuals with the coronavirus lack symptoms (asymptomatic) and can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity just by speaking, coughing or sneezing.

If N-95 masks are unavailable, the CDC recommends using homemade, cloth masks. A t-shirt, small towel or scarf can be folded and fastened with two rubber bands, according to the CDC.

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
• Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape