Why Should I Wear a Face Mask?
From the North Shore Health Department: COVID-19 is primarily spread via respiratory droplets when people are in close proximity with each other and people that are infected speak, sneeze, or cough. People can be infected and have no symptoms (asymptomatic), and they are still able to transmit the virus. It is strongly recommended that the general public wear a cloth face mask in public settings.
Wearing a cloth face mask is one of the most effective ways to reduce person to person transmission of COVID-19 because it serves as a barrier to prevent droplets from entering the air (known as source control). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that demonstrates cloth face masks reduce the spray of respiratory droplets. Cloth face masks are most effective at reducing the transmission of COVID-19 when they are widely used by the public and used in combination with other preventive measures, including physical distancing and proper hygiene practices. You should wear a face mask in all public settings, especially in indoor spaces where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.