The CDC is now recommending cloth masks for the general public, but earlier in the pandemic they saw no need to make any such recommendations.
These shifting guidelines have caused confusion about the utility of masks.
Health experts agree that masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that the more people wearing masks the better.
The original CDC guidance were based on what was thought to be the low prevalence of the disease earlier in the pandemic.
What may have convinced the CDC to change its recommendation in favor of masks were the rising disease prevalence and a clearer understanding that both pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission is possible and occurs regularly. Studies have found that viral load peaks in the days before symptoms begin to show themselves and that speaking is enough to expel virus-carrying droplets. This asymptomatic infection transfer now necessitates that everybody wears a mask for their protection and the protection of others.
Two compelling case reports suggest that masks can prevent transmission in high-risk scenarios:
In the first case, a man flew from China to Toronto and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. He had a dry cough and
wore a mask
on the flight. The 25 people closest to him on the flight tested negative for COVID-19.
In the second case, two hair stylists had close contact with 140 clients while sick with COVID-19.
Everyone, the hairstylist and staff and the clients, wore masks
and none of the clients tested positive.
The bottom line is that any mask that covers the nose and mouth will be beneficial.
To that end, the Skin Center has acquired a few hundred masks to give out to our dear patients.
Please call us or drop in and we will be happy to give you a mask for your and loved ones (while supplies last).
Have a Happy and Health 4
th
and Stay Safe!!!
Until next time,
Dr G