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US President Donald Trump (right) addresses the daily coronavirus response briefing at the White House on Thursday as Vice-President Mike Pence (left) listens. Photo: Reuters

Coronavirus: Donald Trump to urge Americans to wear masks or other face coverings when outside

  • US president expected to encourage use of scarves, bandanas or home-made cloth masks to help curb outbreak
  • Officials previously discouraged Americans from wearing masks, but White House position is evolving as evidence shows people with no symptoms can spread virus

This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Dan Diamond on politico.com on April 2, 2020.

US President Donald Trump is expected to encourage Americans to wear face coverings as soon as Thursday, the latest effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, according to three individuals with knowledge of the planned announcement.

Trump's planned guidance – which two officials cautioned is not yet finalised – would encourage Americans to use home-made coverings, like cloth masks, scarves or bandanas, when outside the home.

Health experts believe that the practice, which is common in nations like Singapore and Japan but unusual in the United States, would reduce the risk of individuals not exhibiting symptoms spreading the disease.

Senior Trump officials had previously warned Americans not to wear masks, insisting that the practice could even increase the risk of contagion by leading people to more frequently touch their faces to adjust the coverings.

Administration officials also had been worried that it would lead to hoarding, exacerbating shortages of protective equipment that health workers desperately need.

But a senior official said the White House's position evolved in light of more data about the extent that the virus is being spread by asymptomatic individuals.

US starts to change its thinking on wearing protective masks

Officials also plan to stress that wearing masks is not a substitute for maintaining social distancing and following other guidelines to curb the virus' spread.

The White House and Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Stat News first reported Trump's planned guidance.

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