Coronavirus: US starts to change its thinking on wearing protective masks
- California becomes the first state to offer official guidelines acknowledging that wearing a mask could help contain the spread of coronavirus
- Many Americans have viewed face coverings with suspicion or as unnecessary
After months of saying that wearing a mask would not help the public avoid infection by the coronavirus, authorities across the United States are shifting gears.
On Wednesday evening, California became the first state to offer official guidelines acknowledging that wearing a mask could help contain the spread of coronavirus.
In its new “Face Coverings Guidance”, the state’s Department of Public Health said: “There may be a benefit to reducing asymptomatic transmission and reinforcing physical distancing from the use of face coverings. However, face coverings may increase risk if users reduce their use of strong defences, such as physical distancing and frequent hand washing, when using face coverings.”
While the language is cautious, the new advice marks a reversal for state officials. The guidelines still discourage the public from using medical-grade masks needed by beleaguered health care workers, but they do say the public can wear cloth face coverings “made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk or linen”.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has warned, however, that face coverings were not a substitute for other safety measures.
