80 percent of the population wearing masks would do more to reduce COVID-19 spread

than a strict lockdown.

Even if you live in a community where few people wear masks, you would still reduce
your own chances of catching the virus by wearing one.

Three W’s to ward off COVID-19: Wearing a mask, washing your hands, and watching
your distance.

In New York, the daily new infection rate dropped by 3% per day after a policy requiring
that people wear face masks or coverings in public.

Masks prevented as many as 230,000 to 450,000 COVID-19 cases by May 22 in the 15

states.

If you've had a coronavirus before or had an antibody test come up positive, you may
believe that you don't need to wear a mask. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no way
to know whether having coronavirus once provides ​immunity​ from the virus again or
how long that your immunity might last.

When you find it difficult to maintain at least six feet of distance from people you don't
live with, such as ​exercising on a sidewalk​ or ​eating out at a​ ​restaurant​, it's important to
have your mask on. You should always have your mask on hand when you leave your
home.

Wearing a mask is highly effective and can make your daily life safer for those
around you, but it's not a permission slip to "return to normal." It's important to
stay home​ when you can and continue practicing other coronavirus prevention
measures like ​social distancing​ to help reduce the spread.

A range of new research on face coverings shows that the ​risk of infection to
the wearer is decreased by 65 percent​.
Masks create an effective barrier against droplets.

People who don’t wear a mask increase the risk of transmission to everyone,
not just the people they come into contact with. It’s all the people those people
will have contact with. You’re being an irresponsible member of the community
if you’re not wearing a mask.

Social distancing and staying outdoors, where there is more air flow.

Good air flow will disperse the virus. If you are indoors, think about opening the
windows. You want as much fresh air as possible.

It’s really important to know that just because you’re standing 6 feet or 7 feet
away, if you have a prolonged conversation, there is still a risk.

We do know social distancing reduces the risk of transmitting the virus by 90

percent, and wearing masks decreases the risk by 65 percent.

Citations:

https://www.umms.org/coronavirus/what-to-know/masks/wearing-mask

https://www.ucdavis.edu/coronavirus/news/your-mask-cuts-own-risk-65-percent/