April 3, 2020 / By Alexandria Hein | Fox News
The White House coronavirus task force is said to be preparing to announce new guidelines formulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that recommend Americans in areas hit hardest by the novel coronavirus wear some type of facial covering while out in public.
The change in guidelines signals a major shift in how officials are looking to combat the spread of COVID-19. 
“Because of some recent information that the virus can actually be spread even when people just speak as opposed to coughing and sneezing – the better part of valor is that when you’re out, when you can’t maintain that 6-foot distance, to wear some sort of facial covering,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said, while appearing on “Fox & Friends” on Friday.
The move would follow several local officials who advised their residents to wear either homemade masks or face coverings while out for essential travel. For weeks, the general public was advised by both the Trump administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) that only those who were ill or had underlying health issues should wear face masks, and that the surgical masks and N95 protective gear should be reserved for health care workers.
The new CDC recommendations will reportedly urge Americans to wear cloth facial coverings.