Thread by @MarkLevineNYC

There’s some confusion about the new guidance to wear face coverings.

Here’s some clarifications:

* This recommendation was made to reduce likelihood that people who are asymptomatic will infect others in public. (it’s *not* about protecting the wearer.)
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* Because there is still a severe shortage of surgical and N95 masks in hospitals, public is urged not to hoard these items.
* Cloth face coverings such as scarves and bandanas (believe it or not) provide much of the protection that a surgical mask does.
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* Cotton-basic fabric is particularly good because it dries very quickly. Hence the recommendation to use t-shirts for home-sewn masks.
* Any covering you wear in public should be washed once you get home.
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* Wearing a face covering does not make you invincible. You still need to stay home as much as possible. It’s essential that you continue to practice social (physical) distancing and good hand hygiene even when wearing a face covering.
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* You don’t need to cover your face at home, unless you’re sick and trying to protect others in your household.
* If you recovered from covid19, the recommendation to cover your face in public still stands, out of caution that we still don’t fully understand how immunity works.5/

* If you’re doing solo exercise outside or otherwise aren’t within 6 feet of others, you don’t need a face covering.
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To recap: Yes it represents an epic policy failure that our nation doesn’t have enough masks for the general population and we’re forced to make our own. But alas...
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