Is it useful to wear a face mask outside?

Wearing a face mask outdoors can be helpful in certain situations, but is not always necessary. Here are some considerations about when it might be helpful to wear a face mask outdoors.

If you are outdoors in a place where it is difficult to maintain physical distance from others, such as busy streets, markets, festivals, or sporting events, wearing a face mask can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In areas where COVID-19 infections are high, wearing a face mask, even outdoors, can provide additional protection against the spread of the virus. If you are outdoors and come into contact with vulnerable people (such as the elderly or people with underlying health conditions), wearing a face mask can help protect them. At outdoor gatherings where people sing, shout, or talk intensely (such as demonstrations or sporting events), wearing a face mask can be useful in limiting the spread of aerosols.

If you are outdoors in an area where there are few people and you can easily maintain physical distance (for example, in a park, on a quiet street, or while walking in nature), wearing a face mask is usually not necessary. For intensive outdoor sports such as jogging or cycling, especially if you are in a quiet area, it is less necessary to wear a face mask. However, make sure you keep enough distance from others.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/publicppe/community-ppe.html

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2023-12-11 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024