Are Homemade Masks Effective Against COVID-19? Doctors Weigh In

As hospitals in the U.S. reach surge capacity due to COVID-19, personal protective equipment (PPE) is becoming limited. In many cases, doctors and nurses are re-wearing what should be single-use surgical face masks, and in extreme cases, not wearing them at all. With this immediate need for PPE, many people are considering making homemade face masks—but how effective are they, and who should be wearing them?

"Homemade masks are not considered PPE since their capability to protect health care personnel (HCP) is unknown," the CDC wrote. "Caution should be exercised when considering this option." 

That being said, if you have the virus or are directly treating someone who has it, homemade masks and scarves might be a better option than zero protection. 

"Homemade masks or scarves are good at catching your respiratory droplets if you are sick," said integrative medicine doctor Amy Shah, M.D. "It's not necessarily a great protection if you're not sick, though."

Unless you're sick, the CDC said, "Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers." However, since research suggests many infected people might be asymptomatic or only have mild symptoms, it can be difficult to know who is sick and who is healthy. 

Because of that challenge, White House coronavirus correspondent Deborah Birx, M.D., said, "the task force is still discussing whether to change the recommendation on masks." 

If you are making and using a cloth mask, Bindiya Gandhi, M.D., said to "wash it regularly with soap and hot water and continue washing your hands regularly." You should also avoid readjusting the mask then touching other parts of your body to prevent cross-contamination of a virus.