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5 things you need to know this weekend

CDC recommends masks in public; Are you social distancing?; Stores with senior & at-risk shopping hours; IRS warning of COVID-19 related scams; Free streaming.
Credit: Andre Penner
A passenger wearing a mask as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 arrives to the Sao Paulo International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

SEATTLE —

CDC now recommends wearing face masks in busy public places

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending Americans wear some sort of face-covering when they are out in public to help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). These can be homemade and do not need to be medical grade masks.

According to the CDC, a significant portion of people with coronavirus lack symptoms, and even those who eventually develop symptoms can transmit the virus before exhibiting symptoms. 

For those reasons, the CDC said it's recommending wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult, such as at the grocery store. Read more

Most Washingtonians say they're social distancing

Are you abiding the social distancing guidelines? 

An exclusive KING 5 News poll suggests Washingtonians are faithfully following public health guidelines amid coronavirus, and many feel their lives have changed significantly since the pandemic began.

Half of respondents said everyday life has changed noticeably, and a quarter say their lives have been turned upside down. About 23% said their lives were impacted only slightly.

Gov. Inslee has extended his "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order through May 4. Read more

Stores with senior and at-risk shopping hours

Some retailers in western Washington are offering time for the most vulnerable customers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to shop around without the crowds.

Officials have said older adults and people with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to COVID-19, so several stores are dedicating time or opening earlier specifically for those customers. Read more

IRS warning about coronavirus-related scams 

The Internal Revenue Service is urging taxpayers to be on the lookout for a surge of calls and email phishing attempts about the coronavirus pandemic. 

Some of these scams can lead to tax-related fraud or identity theft. The IRS said everyone should be on the lookout for not only emails but text messages, websites and social media posts or messages that request money or personal information. The IRS's Criminal Investigation Division said it has seen a wave of new and evolving phishing schemes against taxpayers. Read more

Several sites to access movies, books, music and more for free

Since we've been stuck at home, people across the world have been turning to streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify and Audible for comfort and entertainment. However, subscriptions can get costly and add up, costing a family between $5 and $16 per month per platform.

Don't want to pay to watch, listen and read? No problem! These sites and apps are currently offering ways to keep yourself and your kids entertained for FREE! Read more and see the full list here

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