New Yorkers have been urged to cover their faces when they go outside and are near other people to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio said on Thursday, "When you put on that face covering, you're protecting everyone else."
He cited studies showing asymptomatic people could be spreading the virus without realizing it.
The mayor said the covering could be a scarf, bandana or anything homemade, but stressed it should not be a professional surgical mask needed by medical workers.
The city has recorded almost 50,000 confirmed cases, including 1,562 deaths.
The advice came as the Donald Trump administration was formalizing new guidance to recommend Americans wear face coverings.
Trump told reporters at his daily briefing that he wasn't considering making it mandatory for people to cover their faces but if they wanted to they can.
He said, "In many cases, scarves are better. It's thicker. Depending on the material, it's thicker."
Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said it's important people don't think masks replace social distancing or hand-washing.
She said, "They're an additive."■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
