Dr. McDonough answers cornoavirus questions

What about those masks?

15 to 20 corona stinger you've been sending us your questions about covi?19 and we're committed to getting you answers.

That's why george has been asking your questions to a physician up on the latest research.

And kati?

That's dr. brian mcdonoug?

The chief medical contributor for cbs radio.

A viewer wanted to know what the value is in wearing a homemade mask or bandana around the face when out in publi?

And what a homemade mask should be made of.

A lot of us are taking the cdc recommendatio n seriously.

We see people being interviewed on television wearing protective masks.

The reporters too have donned them.

But, the cdc has made it clear.

Authorities don't want us collecting the personal protective gear used by medical professionals..

..

They'd rather we make it ourselves what should we make our mask out of?

Well i think anything you make it out of is fine be it cloth or material.

What you have to realize is this is not a perfect protection.

It's not even close to perfect.

What they're thinking is, you have a decreased chance of spreading the virus to others too, when you're wearing this, because what we've scene through numerous studies and reports is that even when you're talking it goes about two feet out, you know the virus, if you sneeze or cough and you don't do it properly, it can go six feet out.

That's why we have the six foot distance, so this actually keeps you from coughing or sneezing or even speaking and getting fluid on other people because it's that inhalation that's so tough.

The doctor is of the belie?

That we should all conduct ourselves as though we are carrying the virus and make efforts not to the cdc's recommendatio n is that our cloth mask fit snugly but comfortably against the face, be secured with ties or ear loops and include multiple layers.

So kati?

The bandanas some of us are tying around our faces are better than nothing, but fall short of cdc guidelines.

Thanks, george.

And just to be clea?

If you are outside away from others on a hike, run or bicycle ride... the cdc isn't saying you should wear a face fask.

A cloth face covering should be worn in situations where physical distance is difficult to maintai?