Joe Gastaldo, MD, System Medical Director for Infectious Diseases explains the new mask guidelines from the CDC.
Recently, the CDC came out with revised guidance on public mask wearing based on community levels. It’s important to note, anyone with an at risk condition or immunocompromised individuals should wear masks in public when suggested, regardless of the COVID level in their community.
We would also emphasize the importance of wearing the highest quality mask possible, such as the KN95 or N95 mask.
Low level is considered green, and in that circumstance, masking is not required or recommended for healthy people. At the medium level, there is a mask recommendation for people who have at risk conditions. In those cases, the official CDC recommendation is for those individuals to talk to their health care provider about their masking needs. High level means there is more COVID activity and trouble with bed capacity in the hospital(s).
In a high level circumstance, regardless of anyone’s vaccination status, the recommendation is to wear masks indoors in public.
Want to know more about common COVID-19 questions? Check our Fast Facts page.
