Politics & Government
Quincy Recommendations For Face Mask Use During Coronavirus Pandemic
Face masks will not protect you from breathing in the virus droplets, but can however protect others from breathing in droplets from you.
The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, the C.D.C. and the MA Department of Public Health recommend that you cover your mouth and nose or wear a mask when in all public settings.
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Face masks will not protect you from breathing in the virus droplets, but can however protect others from breathing in droplets from you. It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is advising the 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.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
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To be clear, this recommendation is a voluntary measure. The Quincy Health Department does not have a supply of masks to give to the general public.
To view the CDC guide on proper use of a cloth face mask, please click here.
To view a video of the Surgeon General making a cloth mask, please click here.
This press release was produced by the City of Quincy. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
