Wearing Masks Must Be a National Policy

The most important new policy the government can implement to contain the spread of Covid-19 is to immediately recommend that everyone wear masks or face-coverings in public — #masksforall.

Health officials have already encouraged people to wear masks if they are showing symptoms of the disease. Particularly since 25 to 50 percent of people with the virus are asymptomatic, it would be best for everyone to be wearing a mask or face-covering when in public to protect others.

Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Monday that the agency was reconsidering its position that ordinary healthy citizens did not need to wear masks. The mayor of Los Angeles recommended on Wednesday night that all people wear face coverings in public. These are welcome, if belated, moves.

Medical professionals, epidemiologists and concerned citizens across the country need to tell their mayors, governors and congressional representatives that wearing masks or face coverings should be government policy now.