Hong Kong, Mongolia, South Korea and Taiwan, have covid-19 largely under control. They are all near the original epicenter of the pandemic in mainland China, and they have economic ties to China. Yet none has resorted to a lockdown. –Washington Post

“The big mistake in the U.S. and Europe, in my opinion, is that people aren’t wearing masks. This virus is transmitted by droplets and close contact. Droplets play a very important role—you’ve got to wear a mask, because when you speak, there are always droplets coming out of your mouth. Many people have asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections. If they are wearing face masks, it can prevent droplets that carry the virus from escaping and infecting others.” –China’s CDC Director

CNN: Some experts have argued that non-medical fabric masks might make a dent in transmission risk. “Something doesn’t have to be 100% effective to be beneficial,”
–Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 

Major Update: U.S. CDC considering recommending general public wear face coverings in public

The WHO recommends masks for those infected with COVID-19 or those taking care of people infected with COVID-19. (source)

But ~50% of people who have COVID-19 are asymptomatic. (source)

So it follows basic logic that if we don’t know who has it and anyone who has it needs to wear a mask, then we should all wear masks.

Plus, there are “34 scientific papers indicating basic masks can be effective in reducing virus transmission in public — and not a single paper that shows clear evidence that they cannot.” (source) 

The Prime Minister of Slovakia released this statement after making masks mandatory: The WHO says “that only those infected should wear a mask. Only the future will show which countries have chosen the right approach and which haven’t.”

Chart Source.

1. Protect others by not spreading the virus if you have it.

2. Protect yourself by reducing your chances of catching the virus when you go outside.

3. Reduce face touching by wearing something that covers your face.

Source: Covid-19: Why We Should All Wear Masks – There Is New Scientific Rationale

The #Masks4All movement was started as a grassroots movement in the Czech Republic. In a matter of 3 days, almost 100% of citizens were wearing homemade masks. And as you can see from the chart, it has been effective. (source)

The rise of #Masks4All led the Czech Republic government to make it mandatory for citizens to wear masks in public.

“Much of Central Europe is now following the example set by China, Taiwan and South Korea. On [March 30th], Austria mandated its citizens wear masks when outside the home, after the Czech, Slovak and Bosnian governments issued similar orders.”
–Wall Street Journal

“Wearing a simple cloth masks, decreases the spread of the virus by 80%! Czech Republic has made it OBLIGATORY for its citizens to wear a mask in public.”  –Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

Chart source.

Washington Post (the article that kicked this off the U.S.): Simple DIY masks could help flatten the curve. We should all wear them in public. 

Major Update: CDC considering recommending general public wear face coverings in public

ABC News: Coronavirus government response updates: Fauci says masks for all under ‘very active consideration’ 

New York Times: It’s Time to Make Your Own Face Mask 

Wired: It’s Time to Face Facts, America: Masks Work 

Medium: Homemade face masks could be the silver bullet for defeating COVID-19

ABC Good Morning America: Growing Debate Over Masks

National Review: A Lesson from Japan’s Fight against Coronavirus: Masks Help

Medscape: ‘Stealth Transmission’ of COVID-19 Demands Widespread Mask Usage

Time: Why Wearing a Face Mask Is Encouraged in Asia, but Shunned in the U.S. 

CNN: Should you wear a mask? US health officials re-examine guidance amid coronavirus crisis 

WFMZ: Senator Pat Toomey endorses “Masks4all” movement | Coronavirus Info 

Americans “can wear scarves” as an alternative to wearing a mask: “You know, you can use a scarf. A lot of people have scarfs, and you can use a scarf. A scarf would be very good.”
–Donald Trump 

CNN: Dr. Fauci signaled he would “lean toward” recommending that the general public wear facemasks “if we do not have the problem of taking away masks from the health care workers who need them. Particularly now that we’re getting some inklings that there’s transmission of infection from an asymptomatic person who is not coughing, who is not sneezing, who just appears well.” – Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases