President Donald Trump has advice for Americans in lieu of going out and buying a health safety mask: Use a scarf.
The White House coronavirus task force has offered no change in its U.S. recommendations for average Americans using a health safety mask to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection.
"Scarfs are very good, and they can use a scarf," Trump said, pointing to guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It says in the recommendations you can wear a scarf."
They said the masks are still needed for healthcare workers and facilities, so they will not recommend stressing the facemask market with individual purchases.
"You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask)," the CDC website reads. "Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers."
If infected or around known infection, use a mask, the CDC recommends.
But thus far, the CDC advises to keep the supply ready for healthcare professionals treating the most seriously ill. Americans are not being advised to go out and get or wear facemasks.
"It's still under discussion," Dr. Deborah Birx of the coronavirus task force said Tuesday during the daily briefing.