Before becoming the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden made his stance on masks clear.
"For God's sake, wear a mask if not for yourself for your loved ones for your country," Biden said.
In one of his first executive orders, Biden enacted the "100 Days Masking Challenge." A president cannot tell states or cities what to do, but a federal mask mandate will require anyone on federal lands or in federal offices to wear a mask. It will also urge states to do the same.
A study by UCLA researchers found if everyone were to wear a mask in public, continue health measures like social distancing and handwashing, the rate of coronavirus spread could be reduced to near zero.
The researchers said wearing a mask in public is the most effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19 when compliance is high.
In a statement, co-author Anne Rimoin said wearing a mask is the best way to protect yourself as vaccines rollout.
"Wearing a mask is one of the simplest, most effective and cheapest ways to do exactly that."
