With coronavirus cases ramping up in a number of US states, more and more US governors have issued mandates to wear masks while in public settings.
The continued spike in COVID-19 cases has caused several states to close bars and pause plans to reopen some businesses such as movie theaters.
While a number of states had previously mandated masks in many public spaces, several more have been added to the list in recent days. Requiring face coverings are largely being seen as a way to avoid reinstituting stay-at-home orders, which most states implemented during the spring.
Researchers from the University of Washington say that a projected 33,000 American lives would be saved between June 23 and October 1 if 95% of the population wore masks in public settings.
A study in the Lancet found that the use of masks and respirators by those infected with the virus reduced the risk of spreading the infection by 85%. The authors analyzed data that showed that N95 respirators in healthcare settings were up to 96% effective. Other masks were found to be 77% effective.
The following states generally require face coverings to be worn in public:
Alabama - July 16
Arkansas - July 16
California – June 18
Colorado - July 17
Connecticut – April 20
Delaware – May 1
District of Columbia – May 16
Hawaii - April 17
Illinois – April 30
Indiana - July 27
Kansas - July 3
Kentucky - July 10
Louisiana - July 13
Maine – April 29
Maryland – April 18
Massachusetts – May 6
Michigan - April 24
Minnesota - July 25
Montana - July 16
Nevada – June 24
New Jersey - April 10
New Mexico – May 15
New York – April 15
North Carolina – June 26
Ohio - July 23
Oregon - July 1
Pennsylvania – April 18
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island – May 8
Texas - July 2
Vermont - August 1
Virginia - June 8
Washington - June 26
West Virginia - July 7
Some states, like Ohio and Texas, require mask wearing only in counties where there are high coronavirus case rates. More than a dozen other states have issued recommendations for wearing masks. Some of those states require employees in certain fields to wear a mask while at work.
