CDC STACKS serves as an archival repository of CDC-published products including scientific findings, journal articles, guidelines, recommendations, or other public health information authored or co-authored by CDC or funded partners.
As a repository, CDC STACKS retains documents in their original published format to ensure public access to scientific information.
i
i
Up-to-date Information
Up-to-Date Info: To find the latest CDC information on this topic go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Scientific brief : Community use of cloth masks to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2
-
May 7, 2021
[PDF-167.71 KB]
Details:
-
Corporate Authors:
-
Description:Updated May 7, 2021
SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted predominately by inhalation of respiratory droplets generated when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. CDC recommends community use of masks, specifically non-valved multi-layer cloth masks, to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets (“source control”), which is especially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware of their infectiousness to others, and who are estimated to account for more than 50% of transmissions.1,2 Masks also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer (“filtration for wearer protection”). The community benefit of masking for SARS-CoV-2 control is due to the combination of these effects; individual prevention benefit increases with increasing numbers of people using masks consistently and correctly.
-
Content Notes:Background -- Source Control to Block Exhaled Virus -- Filtration for Wearer Protection -- Human Studies of Masking and SARS-CoV-2 Transmission -- Adverse Health Effects of Mask Wearing -- Conclusions.
-
Subjects:
-
Document Type:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type:
