NYC officials now say you should cover your face in public

NEW YORK - Weeks after saying that you shouldn't wear a mask unless you're sick or a first responder, New York City health officials are now recommending that you cover your face and mouth when going out in public to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. But the mayor and the health commissioner want to be clear that they're talking about "face coverings" and not "masks" and that wearing face coverings shouldn't replace social distancing.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said that N95 respirators and surgical masks should be reserved for medical personnel and first responders. Everyday New Yorkers, on the other hand, should cover their nose and mouth with a bandana, scarf, or other piece of clothing.

"When you put on that face covering, you're protecting everyone else," de Blasio said. 

At a press conference a few weeks ago, Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot said a mask prevents a sick person from spreading germs and won't protect you from viral infection. And de Blaiso said that previously there "just wasn't" enough evidence that covering your face was effective. 

But given that health authorities have said that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can spread the virus to others, wearing something seemingly could help. In fact, researchers in Singapore recently estimated that about 10% of new infections may come from people who carry the virus but aren't yet exhibiting symptoms.

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Indeed, mask wearing is common in East Asia. And in recent weeks, article after article after article has been advocating that the general public mask up and some governments have mandated mask wearing under the guise that at minimum "My mask protects you; your mask protects me." 

So on Thursday, Barbot recommended that people use a cloth face covering like a bandana or a scarf, that covers the nose and mouth. She said you should hand-wash it with soap and water and let it dry completely every day. She said that a face covering made of paper can be reused as long as it doesn't get wet or damaged. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases, said he supports Americans wearing something.

"Any physical barrier, you don’t have to occupy a mask, something like a scarf, can be helpful," Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Good Day New York this week. "But hopefully there will be enough masks sometime so we can address the question of the advantage that you might have having more people wear masks in the community."

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But in early March, even the U.S. surgeon general chided the public for hoarding medical masks and continues to defend the position that wearing a mask won't protect you from germs. But Vice Admiral Jerome Adams is now qualifying that somewhat based on "emerging data."

"There remains scant evidence wearing a mask--especially improperly--provides much benefit to a healthy wearer," Adams tweeted on Thursday morning. "However emerging data suggests facial coverings may prevent asymptomatic disease transmission to others."

Dr. Suraj Saggar, the chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center, told FOX 5 NY's Dana Arschin that you probably don't need a mask if you stay away from others, frequently wash your hands, and avoid touching your face. However, he acknowledged that a mask could be beneficial if it stops you from touching your face.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued very detailed answers to questions that you may have. Here are those FAQ in their entirety. You can also scroll down and download a PDF version.

With reports from FOX 5 NY and The Associated Press.

NYC HEALTH GUIDANCE ON FACE COVERINGS | FAQ

"A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust masks, scarves and bandanas. Do not use health care worker masks, as those must be preserved for people in the health care system," the Health Department states on its website. "Even if you have a face covering, continue to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with other people."

What is a face covering?
A face covering is any well-secured paper or cloth (like a bandana or scarf) that covers your mouth and nose.

Who should wear a face covering?
All New Yorkers should wear a face covering when they need to be outside their home and may be closer than 6 feet from others.

People who are sick should wear a face covering while at home if they cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others. People who are sick and who need to leave home, such as to get urgent medical care, should always wear a face covering.
                    
Do I need to wear a face covering all the time when outside my house?
If you are sick, yes. Remember you must stay home if you are sick and only leave for essential medical care or to get basic necessities such as groceries.

If you are not sick, you should wear a face covering whenever you need to leave home and might be closer than 6 feet from others. Examples include riding the subway or bus, riding in a taxi or car service, walking on a busy street, going to pharmacies and grocery stores, and going to the doctor or a hospital.

Essential workers should also wear a face covering at work when they cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others.

Do I need to wear a face covering when I am exercising?
No — as long as you maintain at least 6 feet from others.

People should only do exercise that enables them to keep physical distance from others. Walking, running, and biking are good examples of activities that do not require shared equipment or close contact with others.

I was confirmed to have COVID-19 and am better now, do I still need to wear a face covering?
There is a lot we still don’t know about COVID-19, including how long the virus remains in someone’s body and whether it’s possible to get sick again. For this reason, we recommend that you continue physical distancing and other precautions even after you are better. This includes wearing a face covering when you are outside your home and cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.

Remember if you had or may have had COVID-19, you should not leave the house except for essential medical care or to get essential needs until all the following are true:

• It has been at least 7 days since your symptoms started.
• You never had a fever or you have not had a fever for the last 3 days without taking fever-reducing drugs such as Tylenol or ibuprofen.
• Your overall illness has improved.

Why are you recommending this now?
There is a lot we are still learning about COVID-19. However, there is increased evidence that people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus, and that droplets produced when breathing, speaking, or singing may spread COVID-19 from person to person.

We continue to think staying home and practicing physical distancing and good hand hygiene are the most important ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. By recommending that New Yorkers use a face covering, we are adding one more thing that may help reduce the spread, especially from people who are sick and do not know it yet.

What type of face covering is better — paper or cloth?
Either paper or cloth face covering is fine — as long as you are covering your nose and mouth.

However, please do not hoard paper masks, especially medical grade masks, such as N95 masks or surgical masks. These masks are in very short supply and our health care providers need masks to stay healthy and to care for the most critically ill. Health care workers cannot keep distance from others, avoid sick people, or avoid contact with others’ bodily fluid such as saliva, so it is essential that we reserve masks for them.

How often do I need to wash my face covering?
If you are using a cloth face covering, we recommend washing once a day by hand or machine using detergent. The face covering should be fully dry before using. People should have a couple of face coverings so they can rotate for washing.

For how long can I use a paper face covering?
If you use a non-health care worker paper face covering, we recommend that you use a new one every day. Please don't use health care worker masks, such as N95 or surgical masks. It is essential that we save health care worker masks for our health care workers! Use a bandana, a scarf, or a covering that you have made yourself rather than using masks that are needed by our health care workers on the front lines of this pandemic.

Are there precautions I should take with my face covering?

• In taking on and off a face covering, you will likely touch your face. As such, please wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water or, if not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer every time you take on and off your face covering.
• Do not put a used face covering in places where others can touch them or where germs trapped in your face covering can touch other surfaces, such as counter tops or your kitchen table.
• Used paper masks should be thrown out at the end of the day.
• Do not throw your face covering loose in a bag or backpack. We recommend keeping a plastic back with you to store your face covering if you will be taking if off when outside the house.

Is it possible to make your own face covering?
Yes! A face covering can be a scarf, bandana or other cloth.

[Here is an article from the New York Times on how to sew a face mask]