Wearing a mask will prevent the spread of infection and prevent the individual from contracting airborne infectious germs. Due to current situation, medical face mask and other face covers may help to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Masks could protect others from catching an infection from the person wearing the mask. And infected people can spread the virus just by talking.
The US is engaged in a massive social distancing experiment with high levels of community spread. Therefore, wearing a mask could protect others. Outside of healthcare settings, people should use a simple mask that can be covers your mouth and nose and keeps respiratory droplets in.
In public place, people are already using a variety of masks, including medical face masks (surgical face masks), cloth masks, face shield, etc. Because we don’t know for sure who’s sick, the only solution is for everyone to wear masks. Of course, how much protection a mask depends on the type of mask and whether you are wearing it properly.
We know a vaccine may take years, and in the meantime, we will need to find ways to make our societies function as safely as possible. And we should noticed that an increasing number of cities in the U.S. are embracing this recommendation: “Stay in place, keep your space, and cover your face.”
