Should we be wearing face masks at home?

At least one study suggests it can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus to family members.

A study out of China published this week said wearing a mask at home is 79% effective at preventing the virus from spreading.

However, face masks are only effective if worn before the infected family member begins to show symptoms – which is the period with the highest risk of transmission.

Close contact with family members, such as eating dinner at the same table, carries a risk of infection even if face masks are worn.

Some are criticizing the study as incomplete and not enough to make any kind of official recommendation.