Experts agree that practicing social distancing and staying home are the best things we can do right now to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. But if you need to leave the house, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises wearing face coverings to help protect others. And Mayor Eric Garcetti has even made wearing them a city-wide order. So, in a quick business pivot (think Project Runway meets The Walking Dead), many Los Angeles-based designers and company heads have reconfigured their workshops, factories and dining room tables to sew cloth face masks. While these aren’t as effective as official PPE (personal protective equipment) such as face guards and N95-classified masks (which should go to healthcare workers first and foremost), the following masks can help you to not touch your face and also block some viral transmission. Bonus: Many brands will donate a mask to healthcare professionals for each one sold.
(Please note that an overwhelming demand could result in delivery delays.)