Does Wearing a Face Covering Prevent the Spread of COVID-19?

When it comes to COVID-19, scientists agree that wearing a face covering adds a layer of protection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, “people wear masks in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”

Richard Watkins, M.D., an infectious disease physician in Akron, Ohio, and a professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, recently spoke with Prevention and noted, there must be a team effort amongst Americans in wearing face coverings for society to “return to normal.”

“If not, we are likely headed towards another lockdown,” said Dr. Watkins.

Here are a few tips from the CDC on how to wear your face coverings properly.

• Wash your hands before putting on your mask
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
• Make sure you can breathe easily
• CDC does not recommend use of masks or cloth masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent