Wearing a face mask can help protect you and those around you from the novel coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What’s going on?
The CDC recently updated its guidelines to suggest that wearing a mask can keep you safe from COVID-19 transmission in addition to protecting those around you.
- Previously, the CDC said the primary reason for wearing a mask was prevent others being infected by you.
The CDC said cloth masks block the virus particles released by the wearer and offer personal protection to block incoming droplets.
The guidance cites a number of studies that say masks reduce transmission of COVID-19 by 70%.
- According to CNN, the studies examined hair stylists and airplane passengers wearing masks and not transmitting the virus when everyone onboard wore a mask.
Key quote;
- “Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation,” the CDC said.
Flashback:
View Comments
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, recently said that wearing a face mask is a “two way street.”
- “Recent data has now shown that as a matter of fact, there’s also the added benefit to protect you from droplets and virus that’s coming your way,” Fauci said Tuesday on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.”