There have been recommendations against the public wearing masks for everyday tasks, but Gov. Gavin Newsom says he expects the state to issue new guidelines in the coming days.
Officials have been reluctant to encourage individuals from donning masks during visits to the grocery store because there's such an acute need for the gear among medical professionals.
“We are in real need of surgical masks and these N95 masks,” said Newsom of the scarcity.
The masks would become even harder to find if the officials told the public to use them regularly, Newsom said.
“We want to be guided by science, and respectfully, science is a bit incomplete in this space,” said Newsom. "A lot of people are promoting face coverings and masks, others caution that it is not a substitute for physical distancing, which it is not.”
Newsom says a recommendation to wear masks could create a false sense of security that they are completely protected from the virus. At the same time, he says he knows that California residents are worried and he’s seen the measure taken in other countries, and will take all those factors into consideration.
“Know that we are looking to put out guidance on this, we’ll put out our recommendations in short order,” said Newsom, “those recommendations will include the principal obligation we all have to continue our social distancing and to wash our hands.”
He said that any recommendations would include clear guidelines.
