For the study, scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene looked at how successful public health interventions — such as school closures, stay-at-home orders and face masks — were on the widespread COVID-19 transmission rates happening in the city from March until its “reopening” in June.

The reduction rates were even higher for older adults — up to 20 percent among those 65 and older during the first month that face masks were required in public places — who appear to be better about wearing face masks.

“I don’t think too many people in health care are going to be surprised with this finding or even how significant the reduction is attributed to the lockdown,” says Gonsenhauser.

Viral spread is all about people coming into contact with one another.”.

Since the virus spreads mainly through in-person contact, “when you have a lockdown, everyone stays at home and you pretty much shut down the majority of human contact,” the study’s lead author, Wan Yang, an assistant professor in the department of epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, tells Yahoo Life.

The report also found that wearing masks makes a difference: If the current rates of mask-wearing in New York City continue as more people spend time outside, that can help “reduce overall COVID-19 transmission by approximately 9 to 11 percent during reopening,” according to the press release.

Along with testing and contact tracing, they include “social distancing, staying six feet apart from people, wearing a face covering when you can’t social distance [and] good hand hygiene — all of these are important tools,” says Adalja?

Glossary of public health terms to stay informed.

How to maintain your physical and mental health during the pandemic.

Despite the prevailing narratives of "re-opening" amid the coronavirus pandemic, a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, of the people surveyed, people who tested positive for the virus were nearly two times as likely to have had a meal at a restaurant within two weeks of developing symptoms than […].

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) has advised Americans to wear cloth face masks while out in public to help minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The CDC advised wearing a cloth face covering when you're out in public places, like grocery stores and pharmacies, where the social-distancing guidelines are harder to follow.

For many before the pandemic, face masks were not a part of their at-home collection.

For those who do not have masks already or prefer not to make a DIY face mask, buying one is an easy alternative!

In order to properly wear a face mask, it must fit closely against the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, include more than one layer of fabric, allow for breathing, and be able to be washed without getting damaged.

It's worth noting that while these cloth face coverings are not medical-grade masks like the N95 respirators and surgical masks, which are being reserved for healthcare workers, they are still useful to put on when out in public.

Wearing a cloth mask will not ensure protection against ingesting droplets, but it's a precautionary safety measure worth taking.

If you don't already have a mask or need another one for yourself or a loved one, shop these picks now and help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The director for the CDC stresses that face masks are our “best defense” against the novel coronavirus Putting on a face mask every time you leave the house might seem like a total pain but, according to CDC director Robert Redfield, it’s worth any temporary hassle

In the midst of a pandemic, the face mask has quickly become a symbol of political turmoil and a flashpoint for heated debate

This simple piece of personal protective equipment has been shown to slow the spread of the virus and may also protect the wearer to some degree, meaning that other peoples' decision to wear a face mask or not can have a direct effect on your health

It's no surprise that tempers are flaring in both public and private settings where face mask use is an issue