Face coverings

Directions to make, donate and use face covers in Snohomish County

Why wear a face cover:

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings, especially where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Face covers protect others by preventing the spread of illness from people who are pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic. When you are in a location where it is difficult to stay more than 6 feet apart, wearing a face cover can help reduce the likelihood that you are spreading COVID-19.

While wearing a face cover, avoid touching your face. Wash your hands frequently. Maintain distance with others as much as possible. For safety reasons, children under the age of 2 should not wear a cloth cover.

Making a face cover:

Face covers can be made from any tightly woven, breathable and washable material. They should fit over the area from the bridge of the nose to the chin, and from one cheek (past the corner of the mouth) to the other, with no gaps when the person moves or speaks. The CDC has guidance on how to properly make a cloth face cover. Other patterns and designs can be found at Providence’s Million Mask Challenge. If you’re new to sewing or want more pattern ideas, the Everett Public Library put together a how-to guide with video tutorials and links to patterns.

Ideas for whom you can make face coverings:

Make face coverings for your household, then check with your neighbors. Many don’t have the equipment, supplies or knowledge to make a face covering. Lastly, we encourage you to make face coverings for the Everett and Snohomish County community. You can help meet needs during this crisis in very tangible ways.

Instructions for making covers for others:

After you finish making cloth face covers, put them in the washing machine and wash with hot water and detergent.
Wash your hands thoroughly. Transfer covers from washer to dryer. Dry on high heat.
Once the covers are dry, put on your own face cover and thoroughly wash your hands again – at least 20 seconds of scrubbing all over your hands with soap and warm, running water – before you remove the cloth face covers from the dryer. Place each one directly from the dryer into an individual, resealable plastic bag.
Seal the bag and do not open it.
Use the Cloth Face Cover Instructions sheet to print out, cut in half and tape to the outside of bags containing donated face coverings. These instruction sheets are also available at the same location where people pick up donated face covers.
See below for donation site information.

How to care for cloth face covers:

You should pick up the cloth face covers in a resealable plastic bag during regular distribution hours at your local food bank. Once you have the covers, wash them using hot water and detergent, or hand wash with hot water if a washing machine isn’t available.

Wash your hands after handling the face covers.
Dry the covers on high heat or leave in a warm, dry place until they are no longer damp. You can iron them to help keep their shape.
When not in use, store cloth face covers in a clean, dry place. A resealable bag or container works great.
Be sure to wash and dry the covers after each use. We recommend having at least two per person so one can be used while the other is being washed.
Once a cloth face cover is showing signs of wear or is no longer holding shape to securely cover the mouth and nose, throw it away.

Donation sites:

Everett Emergency Management is collecting donations of face covers at various drive-thru donation sites in Everett throughout the month of May. They are also distributing donated face covers for free to individuals and families while supplies last.

Monday, May 18, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Walter E Hall Park, 1226 W Casino Rd.
Wednesday, May 20 and 27, 1-4 p.m. at Garfield Park, 2300 Walnut St.
Friday, May 22 and 29, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd.
Donations are also accepted at Volunteers of America at 1230 Broadway during their regular business hours.

** Walk-ups welcome, any face cover donations are greatly appreciated.