To stay safe in the fight against COVID-19, wear a mask, India!

Till a couple of weeks back, Indian and international health advisories were recommending that mask usage be limited to those with COVID-19 symptoms and healthcare workers. Now, that position has changed. In its latest advisory, the Health Ministry has said that "certain countries have claimed benefits of homemade face cover for the general public." Advising people to wear face covers, particularly when stepping out, the advisory said that it will "help in protecting the community at large."

The government is making masks mandatory in public
Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha have made masks compulsory.

Keeping in mind the shortage of masks and other equipment for healthcare workers, the American CDC also made the point that the "cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders."
If you don't have masks, don't worry. You can easily make these face covers at home using any good quality cotton cloth with a tight weave. The Health Ministry advised that "two sets of such face covers be made so that one can be washed while the other is used." The masks need not be disposed of after each use, but can be "washed properly with soap and hot water and dried properly before they are used."


Celebrities lead the way for #MaskIndia initiative
Pulkit Samrat

It’s important that we leave the surgical or N95 masks for the frontline warriors. Let's make our masks at home. All you need is a T-shirt and two rubber bands. It doesn’t take much time and is very easy to make. #MaskIndia!
Gajraj Rao

The ministry of Health has appealed to people to wear home-made masks, and now state governments have also made it mandatory for people to wear masks.I request everyone to make a mask at home. When you use a scarf or a dupatta to use as a mask, you can easily wash these and then reuse them.
Darshan Raval

I request everyone to please stay at home and take the necessary precautions. Masks are imperative in this fight against the coronavirus, and I urge everyone to use them whenever they step out.
Rashami Desai

Just like we shouldn’t be stocking up food in excess, we should not be hoarding N95 masks during the coronavirus pandemic. I would request everyone to make a mask at home. Making a mask at home is easy and safe.
Nila Madhab Panda

TOI is doing this #MaskIndia campaign as wearing a mask is a must when you step out. You can also make these masks at home using a handkerchief or a dupatta. I urge everyone to wear a mask when they step out.
Madhur Bhandarkar

To fight COVID-19, we all have to use masks. Cover your face when you have to go out, and whenever you are reusing your cloth masks, wash it properly. #MaskIndia!
Sangram Singh

We should understand that masks are for our safety in our fight against the coronavirus. Stay aware and make others around you aware, let’s all spread the word that we all need masks to stay healthy and safe.
Sonnalli Seygall

Every morning, I step out to feed the dogs in my neighbourhood and I ensure I wear a mask. It is important for our safety. A scarf can suffice too, but make sure you wash it thoroughly with soap before reusing.
Himansh Kohli

It would be very helpful for all of us if we make masks for ourselves, and wear it when we step out. Please spread the word and tell others because mask pehenega India, tabhi toh bachega India.
Harshdeep Kaur

It is scary that our medical workers don’t have enough N95 masks. Please don’t stock these masks. Make your own mask at home since it is very simple and can be re-used.
Shefali Jariwala

Supply of masks is running out fast, and DIY masks can fill the void. All I needed to make mine was an old T-shirt, scissors and a marker pen. I drew a smile on it as wanted to share that with the world. This mask protects me, and it protects you, too.
Geeta Basra and Harbhajan Singh

It's imperative that we wear a mask while stepping out as it not only protects us, but others as well. It also deters one from touching one’s face. One just needs two elastic bands and a piece of cloth to make a mask at home.
Vidyut Jammwal

Putting a mask on even when the curfew is lifted is your way of protecting people you come in contact with as you go about your lives. It shows that you care.
Sonu Sood

A mask made using a handkerchief can act as a protective wall, which can keep the coronavirus away from you. Remember to cover your face every time you step out of your house.
Aparshakti Khurana

Staying indoors is the best way to keep the coronavirus out of your homes, but if at all you need to step out, choose another hack to keep the virus away - wear a mask. Trust me, you’ll look like the superheroes you look up to.
Jonita Gandhi

Even after the lockdown is over, we should take precautions and wear masks. Wear one that’s made from a piece of clean cloth or a scarf, and refrain from using medical supplies!
Arjun Bijlani

Wearing a mask while stepping out is important, but we shouldn’t hoard surgical masks. We can make a mask using a bandana, handkerchief or even a T-shirt. Wash your homemade mask well, so you can use it repeatedly.
Suman Rao, Miss World 2019 - 2nd Runner-up and Miss World Asia 2019

#MaskIndia is a very good initiative. As responsible citizens, it’s our duty to use homemade masks to protect ourselves. In fact, you can get creative to make your homemade masks fashionable!
Adline Castelino, LIVA Miss Diva Universe 2020

A simple, clean cloth that is available at home will ensure that we do not run out of the masks for the healthcare workers. This is not the time to panic buy and create a shortage of these essentials masks.
Gautam Gambhir

Masks have become essential for human survival, at least for the time being. The need of the hour is to avoid using N95 masks, and instead, use the ones that can be made at home. Let those be used by our medical warriors.
Deepa Malik

Taking precaution after the lockdown is important to break the chain of the virus spreading. Wearing a mask will help protect us as well as others from this pandemic.
Kailash Kher

By staying at home during the lockdown and wearing a mask whenever we step out, we can make sure that every person in our country remains safe. I have made my mask out of a bandana, which I had at home.
Jubin Nautiyal

I appeal to people to wear proper face masks whenever they need to go out of their homes. Be safe and let us all fight this war together!
Krushna Abhishek

If you love your family and near and dear ones, remember to wear a mask when you step out. Wear the mask and follow the rules of social distancing. I would request people to make their own masks, so that medical professionals don’t fall short of them.
Asha Bhat

I support #MaskIndia. Let’s do our bit as citizens, by making masks with the things we have at home for our own hygiene. Let’s all pledge that we will remain hygienic.
Iqbal Khan
My daughter Ammaara made a mask for me at home with a handkerchief, I would urge people to do the same. The masks that are available at chemist shops should be kept for the medical fraternity.
PV Sindhu

I request everyone to use masks while going outside. At this time of crisis, we need to be safe and keep the people around us safe by practising social distancing and by taking safety measures like wearing masks while stepping out for essentials
Nimrat Kaur

There is a shortage of N95 and surgical masks across the world, and our doctors need these more than we do. You can make a mask from scarves at home. Act responsibly, every time you go out.
Taapsee Pannu
You must wear a mask for your own safety. You can’t be sure that a person, who has sneezed a few metres away, is not a carrier of the virus. It does not take more than a few seconds for the damage to be done. Beware, be safe and wear a mask.
Mithali Raj

When you step out, always wear a mask. Leave the N95 masks for the healthcare professionals. You can protect yourselves with masks made of dupattas or scarves.
Jacqueline Fernandez
We must wear a mask! It acts as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the virus. Let’s not panic. Be patient and show compassion, we are all in this together. Stay safe, stay home everyone!
Karanvir Bohra

It is a great campaign by the TOI. Given the shortage of masks, making and wearing your own face covers or wrapping a bandana is an easy and safe option and it can be reused.
Vijay Deverakonda
Even when you have to go buy groceries, wear a scarf or handkerchief to cover your face. Please make your own masks, leave the N95 and surgical masks for healthcare professionals. These small gestures can make a big difference.
DIY MASKS ARE COOL, SAYS FASHION FRAT
Sunil Sethi

Wearings masks give me a feeling of security. We should not take it lightly when medical experts around the world are advising us to wear masks. Our safety and others' too, is in our hands.
Neeta Lulla

The best thing about creating your own mask is that you can keep it broad and long enough to cover your entire face. People should understand that masks are the best protective gear we have right now.
Ritu Beri

We don’t need N95 masks, I created a mask in my studio with a simple fabric in two layers – that’s all we need to protect ourselves
Rina Dhaka

I made this mask from an old pillowcase. By wearing masks we can save our lives and also the lives of loved ones
Anavila Misra

Whether we like it or not, masks are going to become an important part of our lives even post lockdown. The mask I am wearing is my first attempt at making a fabric mask at home.
Shantanu Mehra

By wearing a mask we protect others from respiratory droplets. I recommend wearing a homemade mask, draped around the nose and mouth
Rahul Mishra

Even after the lockdown, we have to maintain social distancing and wear masks that can be easily made at home
Namrata Joshipura

The two most important things to do are wash your hands and wear masks. It’s our responsibility to be safe and keep others safe too
Niki Mahajan

I have been telling everyone that creating your own mask is the simplest thing to learn, you don’t even need to learn how to stitch. So no excuses would work and every person should learn how to make a mask.
Samant Chauhan

This is the time when we all should act responsibly. Wearing a mask is something we all should do to stay safe, keep others safe. I urge everyone to not take this lightly.
Nikhil Mehra

#MaskIndia is a great initiative by the Times of India. I would urge everyone to use their creative imagination to come up with homemade masks, while we preserve the N95 masks for our COVID-19 warriors.