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CDC's Updated Mask Guidance: Wearing A Mask Protects You, Too!
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 11, 2020
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Jen Chung
Published Nov 11, 2020
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its mask guidance to state that masks do help protect the wearer from the coronavirus, in addition to protecting others in the wearer's vicinity.
Previously, the CDC said that the main benefit to wearing masks—including cloth ones—is to prevent the wearer, especially someone who may be asymptomatic or presymptomatic from the virus, from spreading respiratory droplets to others. On its website, the CDC says, "You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected."
Now, the health protection agency says that wearing a mask can also be a form of "personal protection" from COVID-19 droplets.
SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted predominately by respiratory droplets generated when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. CDC recommends community use of masks, specifically non-valved multi-layer cloth masks, to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets (“source control”), which is especially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware of their infectiousness to others, and who are estimated to account for more than 50% of transmissions.
Masks also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer (“filtration for personal protection”). The community benefit of masking for SARS-CoV-2 control is due to the combination of these effects; individual prevention benefit increases with increasing numbers of people using masks consistently and correctly.
Multi-layer cloth masks can help block 50-80% of droplets, and multi-layer cloth masks with higher thread counts can offer even more fine filtration, according to the guidance.
The CDC cited studies and investigations to back up their update. For instance, in May, two Missouri hairdressers who were "symptomatically ill" with COVID-19 saw 139 customers over an 8-day period, but none of the customers who agreed to be interviewed later were infected. Also, studies suggest that masking on long airline flights also reduces transmission.
"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 said.
Masks with two or more layers of breathable fabric are recommended, and the masks should cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly around the face. Another reminder: Wash your reusable mask regularly.
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COVID-19
cdc
coronavirus
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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