Mandatory and Voluntary Wearing of Masks When in Public

Mandatory and Voluntary Wearing of Masks When in Public

Wearing of 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 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, they will not allow you to enter their shops. 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.

Voluntary Use of Masks

You can take off your masks if you are alone in a private vehicle, when you are out for a jog, or when you are in your house.

If you are with other people even if they are your friends and family, as long as they don’t live in the same house you’re in, you still need to wear a mask for precaution. You will never know the places they’ve been, what surfaces they’ve touched, or who are the people they’ve mingled before coming to meet you. Unless you are entirely sure and without a doubt, trust that they are not sick, then you can decide on not to wear a mask around them.

Why is it beneficial to make wearing a mask your new habit?

Some people are okay with wearing facial coverings while others resist the idea of wearing a mask - because of so many reasons, personal, medical and political. In studies worldwide, [http://www.dittomask.com/]wearing a mask is generally beneficial not only during a pandemic, but every time you are out of your house.

Masks protect you from harmful chemicals present in the air, especially in highly urbanized or highly industrialized cities.

Should your kids wear face masks too?

Absolutely yes, but it depends on the state regulations.

Children’s respiratory system is still in the developmental stage. Most children have weak immune systems because their body systems are still developing with age. [https://www.dittomask.com/government-orders/]Wearing a mask is essential to prevent your kids from contracting any form of a viral or bacterial infection or even allergies.

Most countries and states suggested that kids ages 2 to 9 must wear masks when going out of the house. Exempted to the rule are the children who have breathing problems and who are under the age of 2 years old. However, in San Francisco City, they did not require children up to age 12 years old to wear facial protection. If they need to wear a mask, an adult supervises the use of their facial cover to prevent any complication.