News ‘Not out of the woods’: CDC says large gatherings are a high COVID-19 risk, ‘strongly encourages’ face masks June 12, 2020 Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY Comments Off on ‘Not out of the woods’: CDC says large gatherings are a high COVID-19 risk, ‘strongly encourages’ face masks The pandemic isn't over and Americans need to keep it up with hand washing, social distancing and wearing face coverings in public, CDC says.