The best way not to catch COVID-19? Community Medical Centers says it’s when we all wear face masks and stay at least 6 feet apart from each other.
CMC has released a graphic showing how the risk of infection is diminished with the use of face masks and social distancing.
The graphic cautions, however, that different masks offer different levels of protection. (Proper use of face coverings also is important — make sure to cover both mouth and nose.)
According to the graphic, if a person who is infected with the coronavirus and a healthy person remain 6 feet apart and both wear masks, the healthy person has “non-exposure” to the virus.
When neither wears a mask and are closer than 6 feet, there’s a “high risk” of exposure to COVID-19, which is highly contagious and has already killed more than 100,000 Americans and nearly 367,000 people worldwide.
No Symptoms Doesn’t Mean No COVID-19
Health officials are recommending the use of face masks because many people don’t show symptoms of COVID-19 after they are infected and could infect other people.
Mary Lisa Russell, spokeswoman for Community Medical Centers, said Saturday the graphic was developed based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and local infection control officials.
The county’s most recent guidelines recommend the use of face masks, and cities such as Clovis are following the county guidelines and making face mask use voluntary.
Face mask use is still required by the city of Fresno for adults when inside businesses and other public places.
Face mask use was initially deemed unnecessary by the CDC, which later reversed itself and recommended face masks for all when it became apparent that people could be asymptomatic and unknowingly spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or even speaking.