Canada's top medical officials are agreeing masks could be helpful in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
After weeks downplaying the effectiveness of non-medical masks, Canada's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, now says they are an option that provides "an added layer of prevention and protecting the spreading to others", but emphasizes it's more important to maintain physical distancing of two metres or six feet.
Tam suggests a t-shirt or bed sheet could be fashioned into a mask, emphasizing medical-grade masks should be reserved for health care professionals, given shortages.
Canada's Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health says non-medical masks have not been proven to protect the person wearing them, but could help prevent the spread of the virus by pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic people with the virus, though they emphasize it's more important to stay home as much as possible, practice physical distancing when out, wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover coughs with tissues or a sleeve, and protect the most vulnerable from infection and exposure to others.
The Council also reminds people not to touch their face even when wearing a mask, particularly avoiding touching your nose or mouth or rubbing your eyes.