Masks Work. Here's Why

Are young adults fueling coronavirus outbreaks? Shots Noam Galai/Getty Images [Yes, Wearing Masks Helps. Here's Why]( Mask wearing is the topic of fierce debate in this country. People opposed to mask mandates have staged protests and in some places politicians have received threats for trying to impose them. But meanwhile, a growing number of scientific studies support the idea that masks are a critical tool in curbing the spread of the coronavirus. There's some evidence masks protect the wearer, and even stronger evidence that they protect others from catching an infection from the person wearing the mask. And infected people can spread the virus just by talking. "If you're talking, when things are coming out of your mouth, they're coming out fast," says researcher Linsey Marr. "They're going to slam into the cloth mask. I think even a low-quality mask can block a lot of those droplets." [Read more on the evidence supporting mask wearing.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images [Growing Numbers Of Young People Are Catching The Coronavirus]( As much of the country presses forward with reopening, a growing number of cities and states are finding that the coronavirus outbreak now has a foothold in a younger slice of the population, with people in their 20s and 30s accounting for a larger share of new coronavirus infections. Public health experts said the trend could be explained partly because more people are getting coronavirus tests. But it may have to do with behavior: because some younger adults may think they are at low risk, they may be going out to restaurants or social gatherings or returning to the workplace in larger numbers. "We are seeing a resurgence of transmission, and it's being driven by younger people," said Dr. Joseph McCormick with the UT Health School of Public Health, in Brownsville, Texas. He said new infections in people under 35 have shot up dramatically, accounting for more than half of the recent cases in his region. [Read more about how young people may be fueling outbreaks -- and how public health messaging is adapting.]( [BONUS: What reopening looks like in each state]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Malaka Gharib/ NPR [FAQs: Is It Safe To Have Home Repairs Done? What's The Story With Toilet Plumes?]( When it comes to bringing home a repairperson, you have to weigh the need for the fix against the potential transmission risk. "It all depends on how urgent they think the repair is needed," says researcher Dr. Mark Kortepeter. "Everything we do has to be a risk-benefit calculation, and I wouldn't stop a necessary repair if it's really needed — just like I wouldn't stop going to the grocery store." Some repairs can be really necessary for the comfort and safety of your home life, Kortepeter says — and if that's the case, he says there are things you can do to ensure the risk of spreading the virus is low as it can be. [Read on for advice for staying safe when you need to call in help to fix things at home. PLUS more of your questions answered, including the lowdown on the risks of toilet flushing](. --------------------------------------------------------------- More of this week's health stories from NPR [If you get a coronavirus test, will insurance pay? It depends]( [States are staffing up to fight coronavirus — but do they have enough people to do the job?]( [How I’m teaching my kids not to fear everything during the pandemic]( We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of [NPR's health journalism]( on Shots and follow us on Twitter at [@NPRHealth](. Your Shots editor, Carmel Wroth What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [shots@npr.org](mailto:shots@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](