Masks may also help lower the risk of individuals catching the virus through the droplets from another person’s sneeze or a cough - and people can be taught how put masks on and take them off correctly, they argue. On Thursday New York mayor Bill de Blasio urged all New Yorkers to cover their faces when outside and near others, but not to use surgical masks, which are in short supply. Meanwhile, residents in Laredo, Texas will now face a $1,000 (£816) fine if they fail to cover their noses and mouths while outside, after city officials issued an emergency ordinance to its approximately 250,000 residents this week.