Does the CDC recommend the wearing of face masks in public? Saline County Health Department Administrator Tara Brewer says it is recommended that face masks be worn in public settings. She says when around people not in your household, and particularly where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations.

Brewer says masks may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transferring it to others.

Brewer says the masks recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.

Brewer says masks provide an extra layer of protection to help prevent the respritory droplets from traveling in the air and onto other people.