With the continuous surge of positive Covid-19 cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the mutual benefits of wearing masks not just on the people around but also the wearer in curbing the spread of the deadly virus. In the new guidance CDC issued last Tuesday, it mentioned how cloth masks can aid in blocking the virus droplets from being exhaled by the wearer and at the same time, blocking infectious particles from others. The guidance also says that adopting mask wearing policies together with other health protocols like social distancing, frequent hand washing and adequate ventilation can prevent future lockdowns and reduce economic losses.
Read: Mask-Wearing Mandate Among President Joe Biden’s First Priorities
CNN: In several scenarios, when officials told people to wear masks, infections and deaths fell significantly
CNN reports that according to CDC, cloth masks act as “source control” to block virus particles exhaled by the wearer and provide “filtration for personal protection” by blocking incoming infectious droplets from others.
The new guidance cites a number of studies showing that masks reduce the risk of transmitting or catching the virus by more than 70% in various instances.
In several scenarios, when officials told people to wear masks, infections and deaths fell significantly, the CDC pointed out.
The agency cited an economic analysis that found a 15% increase in universal masking could prevent losses of up to $1 trillion.
