Wearing a mask DOES protect you – and those around you – from coronavirus, CDC now says in change to guidance that initially said face coverings protect others but not the wearer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new guidance on Tuesday saying that Wearing a mask can help protect you, not just those around you, from coronavirus transmission.
And this done to update the the previous statement in which the agency said the main benefit of face coverings was to prevent those infected with the virus from spreading it to other people.
In fact, health officials feared that asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients may be unaware that they are ill and transmit the disease.
So, the wearing of cloth masks act as “source control” to block virus particles exhaled by the wearer and provide “filtration for personal protection” by blocking incoming infectious droplets from others, the CDC said in its new guidance.
And this is coming as cases of the virus continue to be on the rise in the US and current hospitalizations topped 60,000 for the first time on Tuesday.
So, from the new guidance we see a number of studies that shows that wearing of masks reduce the risk of transmitting or catching the virus by more than 70%.
And one of such study revealed that mutual mask-use helped to prevent two infected hair stylists from transmitting the virus to 67 clients who were later interviewed.
So, CDC pointed out that when officials told people to wear masks, infections and deaths fell significantly.
In addition, masks with a high thread count can protect wears by filtering nearly 50 percent of fine particles less than one micron – thinner than a human hair.
The report listed several epidemiological and observational studies that the CDC says backs up its claims about masks.
And according the CDC,”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.”
And one study was about two hair stylists who had COVID-19 symptoms, but none of their 67 clients, all of whom wore masks, contracted the virus.
Also, another study looked at the outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which found that masks reduced the risk of infection by 70 percent.
The CDC also provided an economic argument and said universal mask wearing could prevent the needs for future shutdowns.
The agency said if the proportion of people who wore masks rose by 15 percent in the US lockdowns could be averted, as well as associated economic losses of up to $1 trillion, or about fiver percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
‘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 wrote.
Wearing Of Face Mask Guidelines
CDC recommends that people should wear masks in public settings, such as public and mass transportation, at events, banks and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people.
How to Select
When selecting a mask, there are many choices. Here are some do’s and don’ts.
How to Wear Face Mask
Wear a mask correctly and consistently for the best protection.
- Be sure to wash your hands before putting on a mask
- Do NOT touch the mask when wearing it
How to Clean Face Mask
Masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.
- Include your mask with your regular laundry
- Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask
- Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry
