For your safety, and for the safety of others, the best thing you can possibly do during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is to stay home. Obviously, for people with essential jobs, staying home isn’t an option, and society can’t thank them enough for their service.

What’s more, the unavoidable fact is that many of us will need to leave the house to buy groceries. And, as long as you take proper precautions, health experts believe it’s okay to go for a walk outside if you’re starting to feel anxious and cooped up.


We all (hopefully) know the standard precautions by heart at this point, but a quick review is always helpful:

• Maintain a social distance of six feet from other people.

• Wash your hands and clothes, just to be extra safe, as soon as you get home.

• Wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose.


To rehash, here are some guidelines for buying a face mask that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid thin masks. Quilted cotton and other thicker materials are good.

• Make sure your mask fits properly. There should be no gaps, and your mask should stay in place as you move.

• N95 masks should be reserved for professionals who really need them.

• Wash your cloth mask after using it — and make sure it hasn’t been damaged after cleaning.

With that in mind, here are some of best options available on the internet. Many of these masks are made by companies outside the medical supply field doing their best in our collective time of need, and in some cases proceeds from sales go to good causes. (And once again, wash your hands as soon as you get home.)