- Why wear a facemask?
- Wearing a mask is a primary form of “Source Control” - or the prevention of infected (even asymptomatic) individuals from spreading disease
- How does wearing a facemask help with source control?
- Cloth face coverings are recommended by the CDC as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people - for example, when you cough, sneeze, talk, or raise your voice.
- Is there any science to back this up?
- In addition to the scientific and medical community identifying the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 - clinical and laboratory studies have shown cloth face coverings reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth.
- Who should wear a mask?
- Everyone over 2-years of age.
- When should I wear it?
- Public settings
- When you’re around people who don’t live in your household
- When social distancing is hard to maintain
- If you’re sick or think you might be.