The CDC still recommends washing cloth face coverings after every use, but that doesn’t mean reusable masks can’t be a convenient alternative to disposable ones. With proper care and cleaning, the best reusable masks can have a long lifespan, with protection that holds up against airborne viral particles. No more rooting around in your bag for another blue disposable mask, or checking online only to find that your favorite masks are sold out again.
Got the vaccine already? Even if it’s been two weeks after your final dosage, and you can now gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without a mask, the latest CDC guidelines still urge you to protect yourself and others when you’re in public. You’ll need to keep wearing a good-quality reusable or disposable mask for the near future, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.