CDC’s recommendation on use of cloth face coverings
Breaking:
CDC’s recommendation on use of cloth face coverings, especially in
areas of significant community-based transmission of COVID-19.
Recent studies show that a
significant portion of individuals with COVID-19 lack symptoms
(“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms
(“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing
symptoms.
In light of new evidence, CDC recommends
wearing cloth face coverings to slow spread of COVID-19 in public
settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to
maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) esp. in areas of
significant community-based transmission.
Maintaining
6-feet min. social distancing remains important to slowing spread of
COVID-19. CDC also advises 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 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The
cloth face coverings recommended to slow spread of COVID-19 are not
surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those critical supplies must
continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first
responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
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