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Jennifer Aniston shares face covering selfie urging fans to ‘wear a damn mask’ amid coronavirus pandemic

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Jennifer Aniston is urging people to “wear a damn mask” to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

The Morning Show actor headed to Instagram to share a photo of herself in a face mask alongside a plea for fans to do the same when outdoors.

“I understand masks are inconvenient and uncomfortable,” the star wrote in the accompanying caption.

“But don’t you feel that it’s worse that businesses are shutting down... jobs are being lost... health care workers are hitting absolute exhaustion. And so many lives have been taken by this virus because we aren't doing enough.”

Jennifer Aniston has shared a plea urging fans to wear a face mask. (Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston has urged fans to wear face masks. (Getty Images)

Read more: How to help children get used to wearing a face mask or covering

Aniston went on to say that she believes some people aren’t taking “the necessary steps to flatten the curve, and keep each other safe”.

“People seem worried about their ‘rights being taken away’ by being asked to wear a mask,” she said.

“This simple and effective recommendation is being politicized [sic] at the expense of peoples’ lives. And it really shouldn’t be a debate.”

The former Friends actor concluded her post with a plea to put on a mask.

“If you care about human life, please... just #wearadamnmask and encourage those around you to do the same.”

Read more: How to look after your skin when wearing a face mask

Aniston’s message comes as wearing face masks has become a point of debate in the US.

President Donald Trump has been pictured wearing a face mask on just one occasion, and has previously said: “I'm choosing not to do it.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US’s health protection agency, says face masks are essential in helping to slow the spread of coronavirus.

“To reduce the spread of COVID-19, CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain,” the CDC’s guidelines state.

“Cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

“This is called source control.”

Read more: Here’s what bars will look like when they re-open

The CDC recommends all people over the age of 1 wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

“COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected,” the guidelines say.

“That’s why it’s important for everyone to wear cloth face coverings in public settings and practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people).”

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization recently updated its face masks and coverings advice to say that the non-medical protective gear should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible.

The global organisation said its new guidance had been prompted by studies over recent weeks.

It is compulsory to wear a mask on public transport in the UK. (Getty Images)
It is compulsory to wear a mask on public transport in the UK. (Getty Images)

Read more: UK's first face mask vending machines launch

Over in the UK, the government has said that you must wear a face covering at all times on public transport or when attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient.

“If you can, you should also wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet,” the UK’s guidance also states.

The advice applies to everyone aged 3 and over, those with respiratory issues, and those who find it difficult to wear face coverings.

“Evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you,” the guidelines sa. “However, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with.”

Aniston isn’t the only celebrity urging others to wear a face covering. Tom Hanks also recently shared his disappointment in people who were deciding against wearing face masks.

The actor and his wife Rita Wilson were among some of the first famous faces to contract coronavirus back in March.

Speaking at a press conference to promote his new film Greyhound, Hanks said, according to People: “There’s really only three things we can do in order to get to tomorrow: Wear a mask, social distance, wash our hands.

“Those things are so simple, so easy, if anybody cannot find it in themselves to practice those three very basic things – I just think shame on you.”

If you’re keen to adhere to Jennifer Aniston and Tom Hanks’s plea, there are plenty of material masks for adults and children available to buy online.

Shop 5 non-medical face coverings

Prym Make Your Own Face Masks Sewing Kit | £14.99 from John Lewis & Partners

Prym Make Your Own Face Masks Sewing Kit 
Prym Make Your Own Face Masks Sewing Kit

Great British Designer Face Coverings - Julien Macdonald, RIXO, Liam Hodges, Pack of 3 | £15 from John Lewis & Partners

Great British Designer Face Coverings - Julien Macdonald, RIXO, Liam Hodges, Pack of 3
Great British Designer Face Coverings - Julien Macdonald, RIXO, Liam Hodges, Pack of 3

2 Pack Face Covering In Black | £12 from ASOS

2 Pack Face Covering In Black
2 Pack Face Covering In Black

Mango Floral Reusable Homologated Mask | £12 from Mango

Mango Floral Reusable Homologated Mask
Mango Floral Reusable Homologated Mask

Assorted Upcycled Cotton Face Coverings Set of Five | £40 from Liberty London

Assorted Upcycled Cotton Face Coverings Set of Five
Assorted Upcycled Cotton Face Coverings Set of Five