CDC Director believes mask wearing answer to mitigate COVID-19 spread!
(Toms River) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Dr. Robert Redfield, said in an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association on July 14, 2020, “That the United States could bring the COVID-19 epidemic under control in just a matter of 4 to 8 weeks if everyone would wear a mask.”
Just this past week New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a new executive order mandating residents now wear face coverings even outdoors when social distancing protocols are not feasible. The COVID-19 virus is responsible for more than 925 deaths and closing in on 10,000 confirmed cases in the Garden State as of July 14, 2020.
“After more than 3 months of study and research, the scientific community continues to confirm that masks/face coverings do work in mitigating the transmission of the COVID-19 virus,” said Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “The OCHD is always providing our residents the most up-to-date information and guidance we can share to better educate them that wearing masks and social distancing are the only key measures we have in place to keep people protected and safe from transmission. Until we find a vaccine or cure, only the consistent and correct use of face coverings, when appropriate, is an important tool for minimizing spread of COVID-19 from pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic, and symptomatic persons.”
The CDC report shows that among 139 clients exposed to two symptomatic hair stylists with confirmed COVID-19 while both the stylists and the clients wore face masks, no symptomatic secondary cases were reported; among 67 clients tested for COVID-19, all test results were negative. Adherence to the community’s and companies face-covering policy likely mitigated spread of the virus.
The CDC report sends a strong message that with the new executive order regarding masks in place in New Jersey, there’s a good chance that we can avoid any setbacks such as the new outbreaks many states around the country are dealing with. Positive COVID-19 cases in Ocean County are on a steady decline but with the summer tourist season here – along with the reopening of businesses and activities such as outdoor dining, beaches, parks, youth sports, day cares and others entities, people neglecting these protocols are putting themselves and others at risk which could ultimately lead to a major setback.
“Only time will tell if the entire country can control the spread by getting all the states on the same page when it comes to social distancing and mask mandates,” said Patty High, OCHD Assistant Public Health Coordinator.
“Here in Ocean County we have our own job to do and the Ocean County Health Department will continue to do its part urging every resident to not get complacent and help keep the number of positive cases on a steady decline by wearing a face covering and social distance.”
To find out more about the recent CDC report visit: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6928e2.htm
COVID-19 guideline and information please visit the OCHD website at www.ochd.org. The OCHD is also providing a general COVID-19 Information Call Hot Line for residents and clinicians to answer questions regarding the coronavirus. The number is 732-341-9700 ext. 7411.
The NJDOH (NJPIES) hotline is available for questions around the clock at 1-800-222-1222 or by dialing 2-1-1. Other related sources; for medical COVID-19 questions call 1-800-962-1253 (24/7) or Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts.
Additional information can be found at:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at
https:/ /www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/summary.html
or New Jersey Department of Health website at: