Catholic Health Services (CHS) has joined with the Catholic Health Association in stressing the importance of protecting each other and slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Wearing masks or a face covering can not only help protect others from the coronavirus, but it can curb the spread of the virus as well, CHS said in a release issued on its website.

"We invite you to #LoveThyNeighbor and unite around the simple message that wearing a mask expresses love and solidarity for one another during these challenging times," the organization said in the release. "'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31.'"

Masks are recommended by the CDC to be worn in public or when you're around people you don't live with, or if you're in a place where you can't social distance. They can help prevent the spread of coronavirus from someone who has it and are likely to reduce the spread if more people wear them.