Happy Veterans Day!

Question:  What’s the new masking guidance?

Answer: Yesterday CDC updated its masking scientific brief, stating unequivocally that not only does wearing a mask protect others, it also protects you!  

“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.1,2  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.“

We talked about protection that masks afford the wearer back in our Q&A of 8/25 and now there’s enough accumulated evidence to say, YES, masks also protect the wearer!  And as CDC further states, “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.”  Please share this news widely and continue to encourage all of your friends, family, and social network members to wear their mask!