The importance of face masks in the battle against COVID-19 cannot be over-emphasized. As confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, the NCDC is recommending that everyone wear a face mask when they go out in public. Experts also recommend that everyone continue physical distancing and other preventive measures in addition to wearing face masks.

According to the CDC, recent studies have confirmed that a significant portion of individuals with Coronavirus lack symptoms (asymptomatic) and those who eventually develop symptoms (pre-symptomatic) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity, even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.

Although wearing a mask doesn’t provide full protection from the Coronavirus, it does help to protect against transmission by asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic carriers, which according to the CDC is one in four people infected with COVID-19. Masks are a likely reason why the virus has been better controlled in China, South Korea, Japan and other countries.

It is important to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask in public because it not only save lives, but helps to ease the burden on the doctors and nurses suffering on the front lines. It is an act of respect for you and for your fellow humans. Please protect yourself and others around you.