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As the numbers of positive COVID-19 tests continue to grow in Dallas County, public health officials continue to trumpet the importance of face coverings in curbing the spread of the virus.

Dallas County Health Department Community Health Administrator Abigail Chihak says the use of masks is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) whenever a person enters a public place. Chihak notes that coronavirus can be passed by someone who is asymptomatic, so even if you’re not showing symptoms it’s important to have a face covering whenever you’re in close proximity to others. “We really want to try and keep that six-feet of distance, but sometimes we know that that’s not in our control or it’s not possible. And so that mask is an added layer of protection. And that mask is not necessarily protecting the wearer of the mask, it’s really to capture those germs that the person wearing it is expelling and to protect those around them.”

Chihak adds, there are people who shouldn’t wear masks, such as young children or people with respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, so she advises people to not jump to conclusions if they see someone not wearing a face covering. However, she emphasizes everyone who can wear a mask should do so in order to protect those who can’t. She also says it’s important to wear your mask properly, pointing out it should cover the entirety of your nose and mouth. For more information on this and other COVID-19 topics, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.