CDC recommends universal mask wearing

(HealthDay)—Americans should wear masks during all indoor activity outside of their homes and during all outdoor activity when it is not possible to stay at least 6 feet apart, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

The "universal mask wearing" recommendation issued Friday is the agency's strongest mask guidance so far in the COVID-19 pandemic, CBS News reported. "Compelling evidence now supports the benefits of cloth face masks for both source control [to protect others] and, to a lesser extent, protection of the wearer," according to the CDC.

The agency also recommends that people wear masks in their homes if someone living there has tested positive for the virus or has potentially been exposed, CBS News reported.

Mask wearing is the top CDC recommendation to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Other precautions include physical distancing, staying away from nonessential or crowded indoor spaces, delaying travel, and increased testing and contact tracing.

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