Why is it important to wear a mask around my relatives?

COVID-19 cases and deaths are rising across the United States. The changes we have had to make to routines and daily life are extremely hard, but these changes are even more important now and in the future. We must stop the spread of this new and dangerous virus. The more steps you and your family can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the safer you and your loved ones will be. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily between people and this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza.

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through microscopic respiratory droplets. The main source of infection is from sharing air. Being outdoors with others is better than being indoors with others, but when you are indoors wearing a mask and social distancing are good measures to help prevent infection.

Respiratory droplets travel into the air when you talk, shout, sing, cough, or sneeze. These droplets can then be breathed in by anyone near you or they may land in the mouths or noses of people who are near you. Masks are a simple barrier to help prevent your respiratory droplets in the air from reaching others. Studies show that masks do reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth.

To date in the United States alone we have over 16,000,000 cases and over 300,000 deaths.

You might be spreading COVID-19 right now and not know it.

You should wear a mask, even if you do not feel sick. This is because several studies have found that people with COVID-19 who never develop symptoms and those who are not yet showing symptoms can still spread the virus to other people. A person may have COVID-19 and be completely unaware of it. They might not have any symptoms, so they think they are healthy. They go visit their mother or grandmother at her house because she is family and they feel fine, but then she starts getting sick. If you give this to your mother or grandmother, you may not have symptoms and she might develop very serious symptoms. She may even end up alone in the hospital… or worse.

Your mask helps protect you and those around you!

The main function of wearing a mask is to protect those around you, in case you are infected but not showing symptoms. A cloth mask not only protects others, but it also offers some protection to you. How well it protects you from breathing in the virus likely depends on the selection of fabrics used, how your mask is made, and how it fits.

Three Important Ways to Slow the Spread:

• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Stay at least 6 feet from others who don’t live with you and avoid crowds.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Emergency Warning Signs

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face