While the CDC and WHO currently do not recommend that the public wear an N95 respirator or face mask, many countries around the world and several cities across the United States are requiring its residents to wear masks in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Recently, officials in Laredo, Texas announced they were going to require their residents over the age of five to cover their mouths and noses with some sort of mask if they went out in public.
According to KTRK, if they didn’t comply they would be subject to a $1,000 fine. They, like other cities, are also asking the CDC reconsider their guidelines about whether everyday citizens should wear masks in public.
Residents of Los Angeles have also been instructed to cover up when going out in public. The mayor recently told the city’s four million residents they needed to wear some type of fabric over their face.
“I know this looks surreal,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “We’re going to have to get used to seeing each other like this … This will be the look.”
However, Dr. Sonia Angell, California’s state public health director, expressed concern that face coverings may give some people a false sense of security and cause them to relax social distancing techniques.
“Face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing or frequent hand washing, which we know are amongst the most effective ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Angell said in a statement.
Until this passes, it’s best to stay indoors and when you must go out for essentials, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face.
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