Cloth Face Covering Recommendation – 4.21.2020

I received this email today from Summit County Public Health and I wanted to pass it along. It outlines the request to remain vigilant regarding wearing cloth face coverings when in public.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Akron, Ohio – As Ohio moves towards opening up to “the new normal” please remain vigilant regarding wearing cloth face coverings when in public. The Centers For Disease Control and Infection (CDC) recommends the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings in those areas where there is significant community spread and where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as grocery stores and pharmacies. The recommendation to use the cloth face coverings will help slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and are not showing symptoms from transmitting it to others. It is important to remember, wearing a cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer, but it may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others.

Cloth face coverings should:

• Fit tightly but comfortably to the side of your face.
• Be secured to your head with ties or ear loops.
• Be constructed from multiple layers of cotton fabric.
• Allow for adequate breathing without restriction.
• Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage.
• Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html or https://link.zixcentral.com/u/4fd873be/6qeNTnV26hG4RevI-uoD4Q?u=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html for information on making your own cloth face coverings.

Cloth face coverings should not be used for children under the age of 2 years, individuals who are unconscious, having trouble breathing or are unable to remove the face covering without assistance.

The cloth face coverings that the CDC is recommending are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. These items are in short supply and must be saved for those healthcare workers and first responders who are on the front lines leading the fight against COVID-19.

Along with the cloth face coverings, as we open up Ohio it becomes especially important to continue to follow standard precautions to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Steps that residents can take to slow the spread of the virus include:

• Maintain a six-foot distance from other individuals.
• Wash your cloth face cover routinely in the washing machine.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset or three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

For more information about the coronavirus situation in Summit County visit https://www.scph.org/covid-19. If you have questions, call the COVID-19 Call Line at (330) 926-5795. The call line is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. M-F.

See the original release here in PDF format

Stay safe, stay healthy Twinsburg.