CDC Brief Says Masks Also Protect Wearers from COVID-19

CDC Brief Says Masks Also Protect Wearers from COVID-19

The CDC confirms that wearing a cloth mask can protect individuals from catching the coronavirus, not just those around them.

  • By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
  • Nov 13, 2020

A new scientific brief published by the CDC on November 10 explained that wearing a mask protects the person wearing it from droplets that carry COVID-19 in addition to others around them, says NPR.

The brief reports that there is evidence that wearing a mask can lower the number of droplets that are inhaled by the wearer—this prevents those wearing masks from inhaling infectious particles, which makes wearing a mask a two-way prevention method.

The CDC recommends wearing a cloth mask with multiple layers to reap the maximum protection benefits. It is suggested by Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician at the University of California, San Francisco, that the severity of COVID-19 is reduced if those who wear masks become infected.

The brief also mentions that a 15% increase in mask wearing could help prevent the need for further lockdowns.

More information on the brief can be found at cdc.gov.

About the Author

Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.

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