Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Two-Way Street': CDC Now Says Masks Protect You And Those Around You
The Hill: CDC Report Says Masks Now Protect Wearer As Well As The Public
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said masks not only protect the general public from COVID-19, but also protect the mask wearer. In its strongest endorsement to date about the effectiveness of masks, the CDC said "adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation." (Weixel, 11/10)
NBC News: 'Two-Way Street': CDC Report Says Masks Protect Wearers And Everyone Else
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, agreed that it is increasingly clear that the benefit of wearing masks is a "two-way street." "Recent data has now shown that as a matter of fact, there's also the added benefit to protect you from droplets and virus that's coming your way," Fauci said Tuesday on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports." "You protect others," he said. "Their masks protect you. And your mask also protects you." (Edwards, 11/10)
CNN: CDC Now Says Masks Protect Wearers From Covid-19
Cloth masks act as "source control" to block virus particles exhaled by the wearer and provide "filtration for personal protection" by blocking incoming infectious droplets from others, the CDC said in its new guidance. The new guidance cites a number of studies showing that masks reduce the risk of transmitting or catching the virus by more than 70% in various instances. One study revealed mutual mask-use helped prevent two infected hair stylists from transmitting the virus to 67 clients who were later interviewed. Another followed infected people who spent more than 10 hours on flights without infecting other passengers when masks were used. (Mascarenhas, 11/10)
In other news about PPE —
AP: Do Masks With Antiviral Coating Offer More Protection?
Do masks with antiviral coating offer more protection? It’s an intriguing idea, but there haven’t been enough rigorous independent studies to establish whether antiviral masks are better at protecting wearers or preventing the spread of the virus. Their specifics vary, but many antiviral masks are supposed to be made or coated with materials that have extra virus-fighting properties, such as copper. (11/10)
Modern Healthcare: Many Surgical Gowns From Foreign, Nontraditional Suppliers Fail U.S. Standards
The patient safety organization ECRI found half of the disposable gowns health systems purchased from international or non-traditional suppliers during the COVID-19 pandemic don't meet standards of protection. (Castellucci, 11/10)
