LOS ANGELES - Until a coronavirus vaccine is made widely available, social distancing measures like avoiding large crowds, proper hand-washing techniques and wearing facial coverings are the best defense against COVID-19.
But experts say the type of face mask you wear matters. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on face masks last week, cautioning against wearing masks with exhalation valves or vents.
Valved or vented masks are commonly used in construction sites or wherever debris or dust may hinder someone’s ability to breathe, and while they may appear efficient in protecting the wearer from unwanted particles, the CDC said they don’t protect others. “Masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be.