On February 28, Doctor Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, expressed that there was no need for the entire community to wear face masks. Healthcare workers should be prioritized for face mask issuances.

This announcement originating from a CDC director was an official directive during that time. This means that as a large volume of Asian nations wears masks, US citizens remain to roam the country mask-less.

Change of Plans

In just a month, the CDC had changed its statement regarding the use of face masks, says an article. During a briefing conducted on Friday with the White House coronavirus task force, US President Donald Trump stated that all US citizens are advised to wear face masks when going outside their homes.

Do Face Masks Protect You From Getting COVID-19?

According to Trump's statement on Friday, the order to wear face masks is not mandatory.

The US government will not provide face masks to every US citizen. However, he suggested that everyone may do so by making use of certain materials to use as a face mask when they leave the house. He even suggested the use of scarves as face masks.

The CDC Now Recommends US Citizens to Wear Face Masks

On the CDC's coronavirus page, it is not recommending every citizen of the county to wear a cloth face cover when going out. For example, everyone who is going on a trip to the grocery stores should wear masks.

According to a statement on the page, the face mask does not offer protection from the illness. However, it will serve as protection in case a person is sick. This means that wearing a face mask means that it is an act of personal protection rather than unselfishness.

 Singapore's Study on Presymptomatic Transmission of the COVID-19

This new guidance from the US government came two days after a study from Singapore on the presymptomatic transmission of the COVID-19 was published.

Presymptomatic transmission occurs when an infected individual is not yet showing symptoms of the COVID-19 and continues their daily routine. This results in an unintentional spread of the COVID-19.

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How does wearing face masks prevent presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19?

According to the study, presymptomatic transmission typically happens between one to three days before infected individuals showcase symptoms of the illness. These symptoms include shortness of breath, high fever, and dry cough. It was also discovered that one in eight infections of COVID-19 in China was a result of presymptomatic transmission among those who were unknowingly positive for the deadly novel coronavirus.

When people wear face masks, they are prevented from releasing viral droplets when they cough or sneeze. When every citizen in the country wears a face mask, then the presymptomatic transmission can be lessened.