Considerations for Wearing Masks

In order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, face masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control.

Fulcro’s Wellness Team and the CDC recommends:

• That people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

• Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.

• Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Who Should Wear a Face Mask?

General public:

• The CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

• COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. That’s why it’s important for everyone to wear masks in public settings and practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people).

• While masks are strongly encouraged to reduce the spread of COVID-19, CDC recognizes there are specific instances when wearing a mask may not be feasible. In these instances, adaptations and alternatives should be considered whenever possible (see here for examples).

Who Should Not Wear a Mask:

• Children younger than 2 years old

• Anyone who has trouble breathing

• Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Preventions