Should people wear non-medical masks?
Yes, when you're out in public and unsure if you can keep a safe distance from others.
As of May 20, Canadian public health experts are officially recommending that people wear non-medical face masks if they are out in public and physical distancing is not possible.
“This will help us reopen and add another layer to how you go out safely,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer.
Near the beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Tam didn't recommend wearing masks as a way to protect oneself or others from COVID-19.
"Tam said initially it was believed the novel coronavirus was only spreading from people showing symptoms," reports the National Post. "That understanding has changed, as it is now known people can transmit the virus days before symptoms show up. Some patients may never show symptoms at all and can still spread the virus to others."
Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, released a video on proper mask use on May 16.More details about how and when to wear a mask are available here.
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For the latest updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, see edmonton.ca/covid19, alberta.ca/covid19, canada.ca/covid19, and the World Health Organization.