The @WHO has issued new advice on the use of masks in communities, during home care, and in health care settings in areas that have reported cases of COVID-19- it provides advice on the use of masks in communities, during home care, and health care settings in areas with Covid-19

It is intended for individuals in the community, public health and infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals, health care managers, health care workers (HCWs), and community health workers. It will be revised as more data become available. https://www.who.int/publications-detail/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak

"there is currently no evidence that wearing a mask (whether medical or other types) by healthy persons in the wider community setting, including universal community masking, can prevent them from infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19." @WHO

"Medical masks should be reserved for health care workers. The use of medical masks in the community may create a false sense of security, with neglect of other essential measures, such as hand hygiene practices and physical distancing,

and may lead to touching the face under the masks and under the eyes, result in unnecessary costs, and take
masks away from those in health care who need them most, especially when masks are in short supply." @WHO

"Persons with symptoms should:
• wear a medical mask, self-isolate, and seek medical
advice as soon as they start to feel unwell...." @WHO