Wearing masks is becoming a new habit for most people in many countries affected by the pandemic. Nevertheless, in the United States, people are still divided on whether they should wear masks when they're out in public.
Business establishments, retail stores, trains, buses, airplanes, and shared transportation services require their patrons and workers to wear a facial mask as protection and prevention from the disease. It is also required by law in some cities and states in the United States.
If you decline to wear a mask on their premises, then you can also wear protective face shields. In some places, the government will impose fines and sanctions for not covering your mouth and nose.
Mandatory Use of Facial Protection
The CDC recommends the use of facial covering or facial protection when social distancing is impossible in some places. The rise in coronavirus infection worldwide prompted government leaders to make masks mandatory, especially when you are out in public. Experts expect a second wave infection soon.
Some cities in the United States are strictly implementing the use of masks in public areas. It would help if you considered checking out the updated guidelines and policies when traveling to another city or state. Know their pandemic protocols and requirements before you head down to their place. Some cities impose a fine on their citizens for not wearing a mask or facial covering even inside their private houses.
Should you wear a mask every time you leave the house?
It depends on where you are going.
When you are heading towards any place where you can be with other people – such as the grocery store, pharmacy, hospital, riding public transportation, salons, retail stores, and some restaurants – it is mandatory to wear a mask.
Why?
Microscopic particles from dust, pollution, bacterial and viral particles stay in the air for many hours, and the risk of inhaling these particles is very high when you are not using facial protection. Using a mask in this time of COVID pandemic – where you don't know who is infected or not – is your best defense from the virus and for preventing the spread of infection that you may unknowingly have.