Wearing masks in your home may be 'new normal' once school starts

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) - Wearing masks inside your home could become the new normal as Utah students return to class this month.

Dr. Adam Hersh, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases specializing in epidemiology at the University of Utah Health, says data already shows more people are wearing masks at home than before.

He said it’s becoming especially common in households where a family member faces a higher risk of complications from coronavirus, as well as for large gatherings.

In the interview published on the U of U Health's website, Hersh is quoted saying just because people are related doesn't mean the virus is less likely to spread. He added that data does show when kids get infected with the virus they are a lot less likely than adults to get sick.

He has been consulting with school district across the state about their reopening plans.

"If they were to acquire the infection and bring it home to the rest of the family, it could impact those who are at higher risk for infection and could potentially experience a complicated case," Hersh said.

When we talk about schools reopening in the United States, the conversation is focused on using aggressive forms of mitigation of transmission. The cornerstones are universal face covering, physical distancing, and cohorting.

Hersh suggests families should consider thinking about day-to-day routines, such as considering eating meals outside your closeness to other people, including those in your household.

While there is growing evidence kids ages 10 and younger are less susceptible to the virus, it remains uncertain how contagious they are.

"There is suggestion that younger children may be less contagious and/or more likely to be asymptomatic," Hersh said. "Even if they are less contagious than adults in their household, they are still potentially contagious."

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Read the entire question and answer session with Hersh here.