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As Covid-19 cases in the United States advance to very high levels and new vaccines are still missing in several weeks, we are asking experts for recommendations on when and where to wear a mask.
By Ceylan Yeğinsu and Dani Blum
It’s the height of the summer travel season: Planes and cruise ships are full, hotels are booked, and travelers are flocking to theme parks and attractions. However, lately in the United States Covid-19 is circulating at very high levels.
At the height of the pandemic, masks were ubiquitous in hotels, airports and other public places. They had to fly and many travelers used them elsewhere to help reduce transmission of the deadly coronavirus. Since the end of the mandate, and as it has returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels, top lers have abandoned preventive measures, adding masks.
Since updated vaccines won’t be available until the fall, experts are reminding travelers of the benefits of wearing masks, especially in airports and poorly ventilated indoor environments.
Here’s what you want to know about the mask and your plans.
The number of reported cases appears to be rising both in the United States and abroad. In the United States, there are “very high” grades of the virus in wastewater samples across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization reported that global cases increased by 30% between June 24 and July 21, compared to the last 28 days. Bottom line: there’s a lot of Covid out there.
People who need to minimize the threat of respiratory illnesses like Covid (as well as colds and flu) wear a mask when traveling, experts say. Even if you are the only wearer wearing one at an exercise or in an airport, a mask still provides protection, as long as you wear it correctly, i. e. cover your nose and mouth.
“It doesn’t eliminate the threat, but it particularly reduces the threat of exposure,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of studies and progression for the St. Louis’ Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Louis, Missouri. such as an N95, KN95, or KF94, all of which remove the vast majority of viral waste and are much more effective at reducing the risk of Covid infection than cloth or surgical versions. The masks fit comfortably on the face.
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