This Is Why The CDC Is Recommending Everyone Use A Face Mask To Prevent COVID-19 Illness

Allie

10 months ago

The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. One of the things discovered is that people who are infected with coronavirus, but lack symptoms of the illness, can transmit the virus to others. On April 3, the CDC recommended that everyone use face masks in public–here’s why.

Here’s How To Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer According To WHO

CDC Recommends Everyone Use A Face Mask To Prevent COVID-19: Here’s Why

What we now know from recent studies is that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.

This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.

In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission, such as Dallas Fort Worth.

6 Feet Social Distancing Still Important!

It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus.

CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

Here’s How To Make Your Own Easy No-Sew Face Mask:

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

This recommendation complements and does not replace the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, 30 Days to Slow the Spreadexternal icon, which remains the cornerstone of our national effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

CDC will make additional recommendations as the evidence regarding appropriate public health measures continues to develop.

CDC Recommends Everyone Use A Face Mask To Prevent COVID-19: Here’s Why

The CDC is now recommending that everyone use a face mask to prevent COVID-19 and the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here’s why it matters.