WASHINGTON - Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows weary of pandemic-related restrictions.The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was expected to recommend people opt for the highly-protective N95 or KN95 masks over cloth masks to ward off the highly-contagious omicron variant.The expected changes come as the federal government assesses the supply of medical-grade respirator face coverings, such as N95 or KN95 masks.
During a briefing Wednesday, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said officials were "strongly considering options to make more high-quality masks available to all Americans," noting the government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks.While the guidance on masks still remains under consideration, Dr.
Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC says any mask is better than none. RELATED: What type of face mask is best amid the recent omicron surge"I’ll just add that CDC continues to recommend that any mask is better than no mask.