
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the recommendations regarding the use of face coverings by the general public. Citing recent studies on asymptomatic transmission, CDC now recommends that the general public wear cloth face coverings in public settings like grocery stores and pharmacies, where social distancing may be hard to maintain. In communities across the country, local officials are requiring that individuals wear face masks while out in public.
The updated CDC guidance has prompted many questions: What is the difference between a face mask and a face covering? Should individuals wear face coverings every time they leave their house? How often should homemade masks be cleaned? How long will these precautions be necessary?
In this special edition of the Schaffner Report, William Schaffner, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), talks with NFID Executive Director and CEO Marla Dalton, CAE, about the rationale for the updated guidance and what the public should know about wearing face masks:
To learn more about COVID-19, visit www.nfid.org/coronaviruses.
To join the conversation and get the latest news on infectious diseases, follow NFID on Twitter using the hashtags #COVID-19 #StopTheSpread, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, join the NFID Linkedin Group, and subscribe to receive future NFID Updates.
Related Posts

ID News Round-Up: Bird Flu, COVID-19, HPV, and Norovirus
Read recent news of interest from the world of infectious diseases including insights and explanations on bird flu, COVID-19, HPV, and norovirus …

Is It Flu, COVID-19, or RSV? How to Tell the Difference
Is it a cold that is causing your cough or runny nose? Or could it be something potentially more serious? Although symptoms can be similar, treatment options may differ …

Help Prevent Flu, COVID-19, and RSV This Season
NFID and CDC experts urge vaccination to help protect against COVID-19, flu, pneumococcal disease, and RSV …