On April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that everyone wear a simple, cloth face covering while out in public.

The Long Beach Post, with the assistance of the City of Long Beach, has launched a marketplace for local makers and businesses to connect with people looking to purchase masks and face coverings.

Makers and businesses producing masks and cloth face coverings can register at shop.lbpost.com/vendor-registration. Once logged in, vendors will see “getting started” instructions for setting up their account and uploading their products to the shop. The platform helps vendors track inventory and orders, processes credit card transactions, and pays vendors out weekly.

The Long Beach Post receives no commission from the sale of products sold through this marketplace.

For buyers

Do not use masks as a substitute for social distancing and hand-washing. Masks can help stem the spread of germs, but other actions should also be taken. Be sure to keep your mask clean by washing it. Also avoid buying medical grade masks unless you are in a high-risk group; these supplies are in short supply, and must be made available for healthcare workers and others at risk.

For makers

The best masks have at least three layers, including a cotton or cotton-blend covering, and some kind of filter between.

Experts say vacuum bag materials work well, but may not be breathable; a good option is car shop towels (the blue kind that come on a roll like paper towels), which are dense enough but breathable (paper towels and wipes are too porous). Masks should reach above the bridge of the nose and below the chin.

It’s a good idea to make the outside and the inside of the mask out of different colored or patterned material, so the user can remember which side they had toward their face.

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