California Thinks Face Coverings Could Help In Coronavirus Fight

CALIFORNIA — The California Department of Public Health believes wearing face coverings in public could help stop people who are sick but asymptomatic from spreading the new coronavirus.

Face coverings are not a substitute for washing hands often, refraining from touching your face with unwashed hands, avoiding sick people, staying home and keeping six feet of distance from others. People who ignore those recommendations in lieu of wearing face coverings could put themselves at increased risk of contracting the virus, the state said.

Face coverings are not medical masks, but can include bandanas, neck gaiters, fabric masks or even shirts, towels or sweatshirts when in public. There is a limited supply of medical masks, so officials ask people use surgical or N-95 masks.

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Limited evidence suggests that face coverings could help transmission during a pandemic, the state said.

Face coverings should be washed frequently with laundry detergent and hot water, and dried on a hot cycle, the state. Wash your hands before touching or adjusting your mask, and if possible, keep face coverings in separate laundry bin and wash after each use.

Read more about face coverings.

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