Face Mask Becomes A Political Issue In US

It is now established that keeping one’s dis-tance from another person – social distancing, avoiding physical contact such as shaking hands, avoiding touching surfaces such as doorknobs and arm rests, are among a person’s frontline defenses against the coronavirus.

The distancing is needed because the virus is known to travel in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even just exhales. The virus is also believed to travel greater distances with air movements, such as in air-conditioning in a ship, a plane, or a hospital.

Many governments have ordered bans on mass gatherings where people have to stand close to one another. But ultimately, it is up to each person to protect himself. And the best way to do this in a public place, according to health experts, is to cover the mouth and nose – a face mask – to keep the virus from entering the body.