DES MOINES, Iowa - A new advisory from the Iowa Board of Medicine is urging the public use of face masks.
It's recommending masks as a means to prevent infected individuals and those without symptoms from spreading COVID-19 to high-risk people.
The board says its joining the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in calling for the use of masks in public settings, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
It further says masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used.
The board's advisory notes that face masks should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, and masks with exhalation valves or vents should not be worn to prevent the spread of the virus.
The advisory also encourages all physicians and support staff to train individuals on proper face mask use including children as they return to school.
(Image from the Iowa Board of Medicine)