Guidance for K-12 school administrators on the use ofmasks in schools

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (U.S.). Division of Viral Diseases.
• Description:
  Updated Dec. 17, 2020
  
  Revisions were made on December 16, 2020 to update information including describing the protection offered to individuals wearing masks and to make the webpage easier to use and understand.
  
  We are learning more about COVID-19 every day. This guidance may be updated at any time and is subject to potentially rapid change as the science evolves.
  
  CDC suggests that all school operation considerations provide guidance on behaviors that prevent the spread of COVID-19. When used consistently and correctly, along with other important mitigation strategies, masks may help slow the spread of COVID-19. Other important mitigation strategies include social distancing, washing hands, and regular cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in schools and buses. CDC provides considerations for wearing masks and recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who live outside of their household. The use of masks is especially important when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
  
  SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is primarily transmitted by 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 spread of SARS-CoV-2 by reducing emission of virus-laden droplets, or “source control”). Source control refers to use of well-fitting cloth face masks or facemasks to cover a person’s mouth and nose to prevent spread of respiratory secretions when they are talking, sneezing, or coughing. Several studies1-4 have documented asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 transmission; meaning that people with COVID-19 who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) and those who are not yet showing symptoms (presymptomatic) can still transmit the virus to other people. Masks can protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected. There is also evidence that masks offer some protection to the wearer by preventing the wearer from breathing in small, or fine droplets and particles.
  
  The use of masks in educational settings may present challenges, particularly for younger students and students with special healthcare or educational needs. This document provides guidance to help school administrators decide how to best implement the wearing of masks ― in their school settings and facilities, including but not limited to buses and other shared transportation.
  
  Education and promotion of positive and supportive relationships between teachers, students and staff should remain the primary focus of school administrators, teachers, and staff. This guidance provides K-12 school administrators with strategies to encourage students to wear masks, consistent with CDC guidance, while maintaining a positive learning environment.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Coronavirus Infections/prevention & Control COVID-19/prevention & Control Masks Pandemics/prevention & Control Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & Control School Health Services Schools Students
• Document Type:
  Webpage
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Collection(s):
  Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:dd0ff7546bfb72ff71eb84da4c3aa6d2d863e69738dd36fa14e6cb5f651bab9d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/98906/cdc_98906_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 184.40 KB ]