Health officials are now encouraging Americans to wear personal face coverings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says masks should be worn in public settings where it’s difficult for people to stay apart — such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

The Wyoming Department of Health says wearing masks at key times could be helpful.

“We want you to stay home and away from other people as much as possible,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist. “But if and when you do need to go out into the community, this is an extra voluntary measure CDC is suggesting to help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.”

As experts continue to learn more about COVID-19, it’s becoming clear some people can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms, she said; that prompted the new recommendation.

“Wearing a face covering is absolutely not a substitute for social distancing, which remains important to slowing the spread of this virus,” Harrist added.

The cloth face coverings CDC recommends for most people can be purchased, made or adapted from common items and materials at low cost, she said.

“These are definitely not the same thing as surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those types of masks are vital supplies right now across the country and we need to save them for healthcare workers and other medical first responders,” she said.

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children younger than age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone who can’t take the covering off without help.

When removing the coverings, people should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth and should wash hands immediately after removing. Cloth face coverings should be routinely washed, depending on the frequency of use, in a washing machine.

More information can found at www.bit.ly/2JJx2ll.