CDC confirms wearing masks does protect the wearer from the coronavirus

When the Centers For Diseases Control first announced that face masks protect others and not the wearer, many people questioned this logic. We have all seen someone wearing a mask to keep from sneezing at fresh cut grass, or when they leave the hospital to prevent germs. It just did not sound right or seem fair that the person wearing a mask could be at risk from those around them who chose not to do so. It made more sense to a number of individuals that wearing a mask would keep the droplets from others from getting in your face. Now, the CDC acknowledges that this is true and adds that universal wearing of masks can prevent further shutdowns.

The CDC says that cloth masks act as 'source control' and block droplets from being exhaled by the wearer. Masks also provide 'filtration for personal protection' by preventing droplets from reaching other people. The prevention benefit of wearing a mask comes from the combination of personal protection for the wearer as well as source control. Individual benefits of a face covering increase when there is an increase in use of masks within a community. Sadly this is not happening. I recently ordered take out at a local restaurant and the employees who brought the food to the car were wearing masks. There was a group of about 10 people standing in line for dine in and one of them asked if they needed masks and the answer was no.

The number of people infected with and dying from the coronavirus in American continues to climb, yet many are still not taking this seriously. In addition, the president of the United States mocked masks and thousands who attended his rallies did so without any face coverings. Numerous studies have revealed that multi-layer cloth masks can block from 50 to 70 percent of exhaled fine particles and droplets but far too many individuals refuse to wear a face covering. The Centers for Disease Control says masks that have a high thread count protect the wearer by filtering nearly 50 percent of fine particles that are less than one micron, or thinner than a human hair.

The CDC suggests that if mask use in America rose by 15 percent, then lockdowns could be averted. This would also avert economic losses of up to $1 trillion. The agency also shared information from several epidemiological and observational studies. One study found that masks reduced the risk of infection by about 70 percent during the coronavirus outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. In a different study, two hairstylists had symptoms of COVID-19 but did not infect any of their 67 clients who all wore masks. The key to getting this to work is cooperation from every American citizen. Too many people consider wearing a mask as political or the government trying to control US citizens.

No one balks when told to wear a mask or gown in a hospital room for the safety of a patient, yet people choose to ignore this principle with over 10 million Americans having been infected and 240,000 dead from the coronavirus. Face masks are inexpensive and many businesses give them away free. If you choose you can spend more money and purchase them in a variety of shapes, and colors. It is very important for the new CDC guidelines to be adhered to so spread the word that masks do indeed protect the wearer.

Perhaps Americans should have taken note of the Chinese who were shown wearing masks when the virus first hit. News reports ad images of hundreds of people walking through the streets of China and they all were wearing facial protection. China's aggressive measures which included face coverings has slowed the spread of COVID-19 in that nation. How many more Americans must die before the benefit of covering the face is realized and accepted by the masses in this nation? Please remember that along with wering a mask, washing hands, social distancing, and having adequate ventilation will help prevent the spread of COVID-19