Do Kids Need to Wear a Mask During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

As more areas around the U.S. start asking people to wear masks, you may be wondering if your kids need to wear them also. Lifehacker posed the question to number of experts, and Dr. Deborah Gilboa says kids should wear masks as often as possible. Wearing masks outside the home is less about protecting them, and more about stopping the spread of the virus. Kids can carry the virus without showing symptoms, and are less likely to be as vigilant about hand-washing and other preventative measures.

The CDC recommends that kids ages 2 and older wear cloth face coverings, “in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.” If you want to get your kid to wear one, try to make it fun, decorate it, or resort to a little bribery if necessary.