What was the initial recommendation from the CDC regarding face masks in January?

In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had not yet made a formal recommendation for the general public to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At that time, the guidance primarily centered around other preventive measures, such as physical distancing and hand hygiene. The absence of a mask-wearing recommendation reflected the understanding and focus on maximizing other measures that were believed to be effective in limiting transmission. It wasn't until later, as more information about the virus and its spread became available, that the CDC revised its guidance to include mask-wearing in specific situations to enhance public health safety.