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Dr. Stephanie Silvera Endorses the Use of Face Masks

Posted in: College News and Events

Illustration of a face mask

Governor Phil Murphy recently mandated that masks be worn outdoors at nearly all times to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But are they effective?

Dr. Stephanie Silvera, Professor in the Public Health Department, believes they are.

She noted, “Are we all so selfish that we can’t be inconvenienced while we get to go outside? Because honestly, the other option is you don’t have to wear a mask and everything gets shut down again. You don’t have to wear a mask if you stay in your house. But if you want to go out and you want to be able to enjoy all the good things, then wearing the mask is important.”

There is overwhelming scientific and medical evidence that suggests that wearing a face covering, even a simple cloth mask, is an effective means of slowing the spread of COVID-19. And the more people that wear them, the more effective they are.

Silvera cites recent trials that have proved the benefits of masks.

“A recent systematic review that was released looked at 19 different clinical trials, of which eight of them were community use,” Silvera said. “Those that looked at community use of masks did show that they reduce the amount of transmission.”