Brookline Recommends Wearing Face Masks During Coronavirus Crisis

BROOKLINE, MA — Monday as the number of people who tested positive for the new coronavirus rose to 77 in Brookline, Director of Health and Human Services Dr. Swannie Jett urged residents to follow the new CDC guidance and cover their faces if they leave their home during the coronavirus pandemic.

"At this point, it should be clear to everyone that there is no good reason to go out other than to obtain essential items like food and medicine," Jett said. "In the rare instances where you do go out, you should absolutely be covering your face, as well as doing enough shopping to last you for an extended period of time to reduce the need to leave your home."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention modified its guidance around face masks and coverings recently and now recommend that all people — whether they are sick or not — wear a face covering of some kind whenever they leave their home as a way to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Doing so can help lessen the risk of contracting the virus through respiratory droplets, said Jett.

Jett said the guidance is especially critical for workers in the food service industry and grocery stores, and has communicated with Brookline’s grocers to ensure they are aware that their workers should be covering their faces.

The recommendation for Brookline residents comes the day after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tightened social distancing recommendations for Boston residents, including asking that all residents wear facial coverings when they leave their home, closing down sports areas and issuing a curfew.

State officials announced an increase of 1,337 cases between Sunday and Monday to a total of 13,837 across the state. There were 29 new coronavirus deaths, bringing the death toll to 260 across the commonwealth. The increases reflect both community transmission and more testing. There were 4,492 new tests conducted, bringing the total to 76,429.

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Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).