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People wearing face masks visit the Santa Monica Pier, which reopened on June 25 after closing for more than three months due to the coronavirus pandemic, on June 26, 2020 in Santa Monica, California.
As coronavirus cases continue to rise in parts of the U.S., the Center for Disease Control released an updated guideline on Sunday about who should and who should not wear face masks as a measure to prevent the spread of the virus.
According to the CDC, all people should wear cloth face covers when they are in public and near people who do not live with them, especially when social distancing is not feasible.
“This recommendation is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, along with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies showing that facial cloth covers reduce spraying. of droplets when used over the nose and mouth, “the CDC wrote.
But the CDC recognizes that there are some who should not wear face covers.
Children under 2 years of age, people with respiratory problems, and people with cognitive or sensory development problems may not need to wear masks.
Getty A boy plays in Los Angeles, California.
According to CDC guidelines, children under the age of 2 should not wear masks and children in preschool or early elementary school should not be expected to wear a mask for long periods of time.
People with respiratory problems who could be exacerbated by wearing a face covering or people who are “unconscious, disabled, or otherwise unable to remove the cloth cover without help” should also not wear a mask according to the CDC.
Other situations do not lend themselves to wearing a mask, and the CDC also described them.
They say deaf and hard of hearing people and caregivers who may have to rely on lip reading to communicate may need to skip the mask in some situations, and “some people with developmental disabilities, sensory integration issues or sensitivities touch, certain mental health conditions, or limited cognitive ability can have a negative reaction when wearing a cloth face covering. “
The CDC says that in those cases people should consult their doctors.
Runners or people involved in high-intensity exercise are also not expected to wear a mask while exercising, as it could make it difficult for them to breathe. The same for people who work in hot conditions. If there is a risk of heat-related illness or if the mask is a safety hazard, then it is something they will need to address to the best of their ability, the CDC says.
They also say don’t try to wear a mask in the water. If you go to the pool, beach or lake, do not wear a mask in the water, as the damp cloth makes breathing difficult.
Although the CDC recognizes that masks cannot be used in all situations, they say that “cloth face liners are a critical preventative measure and are most essential at times when social distancing is difficult. If Face cloth, be sure to take other steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading, including social distancing, frequent hand washing, and cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces. “
According to the new guide, face shields are not known to “provide any benefit as source control to protect others from spraying respiratory particles. The CDC does not recommend the use of face shields for normal daily activities or as a substitute for cloth face covers. “
In fact, the agency says that if you wear a face shield, you should still wear a mask with it.
“We need to be diligent about wearing masks, but everyone has to do it to make it work,” says Doc.
GettyHospital workers and lifeguards in masks pose for a group photo in front of the Westchester Medical Center in a caravan of sirens and lights on April 14, 2020 in Valhalla, New York.
These updated CDC guidelines come at a time when wearing masks has been a point of discussion for some, even when medical professionals have said that wearing a face mask when in public is one of the best defenses. against the spread of COVID. 19)
Dr. Shannon Sovndal told Heavy in April: “We must be diligent in wearing masks. I think wearing a mask (and doing it properly) is the greatest protection we have. But everyone has to do it to make it work. ”
There are almost 2.6 million reported cases of Coronavirus in the United States at the time of this writing. According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 125,000 Americans have died from the virus.
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