Facebook has announced that it is adding messaging to both Facebook and Instagram that encourages people to wear face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. The messaging will appear at the top of the News Feed on Facebook and the top of the main feed on Instagram.
As reported by the Verge, the banners will direct users to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information. On Facebook, users will also be able to quickly jump to the social network’s dedicated COVID-19 Information Center. The Facebook banner will read:
And on Instagram:
Notably, these banners come as Facebook struggles to contain disinformation about COVID-19 and face coverings on the platform. The CDC currently recommends that people wear face masks in public as a way to protect others from potentially becoming infected, especially when social distancing is not possible.
The new banners on Instagram and Facebook are set to go live later today, according to Facebook. You should see them at the top of your feeds in both the Facebook and Instagram applications.
As COVID-19 cases continue to spike around the United States, Apple has re-closed many of its retail stores in affected areas. As of July 1, 50 previously reopened US Apple Stores have already re-closed. To check your local Apple Store status, visit our interactive tracker and follow our retail guide for in-depth coverage of the latest Apple Store news.
