Anonymous
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
Source: California Public Health Department
California’s public health officials today released guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against COVID-19 for Californians who must leave their homes to conduct essential activities. The guidance does not require people to wear face coverings – and is not a substitute for the state’s current guidance regarding social distancing and hand washing. The state also does not recommend Californians use N-95 or surgical masks, which are needed for our health care workers and first responders who will be there for when our lives at risk.
“Face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing or frequent hand washing, which we know are amongst the most effective ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Health Officer. “Wearing a cloth face covering could provide some additional benefit by acting as a reminder for other people to keep their distance, and it could help reduce the spread of infectious particles from those who could be infected but don’t have symptoms.”
“Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19, but Californians should not have a false sense of security if they choose to wear them. Make sure you’re also staying 6 feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
The new guidance reminds Californians that the best defense against COVID-19 continues to be:
- Staying at home and physical distancing
- Washing hands frequently
- Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoiding being around sick people
The use of cloth face coverings could reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by individuals who do not have symptoms and may reinforce physical distancing. Public health officials also caution that face coverings may increase risk if users reduce their use of strong defenses such as physical distancing and frequent hand washing.
For more information, please see the Face Coverings Guidance.
So why choose a picture of someone wearing a mask. If you are going to recommend SAY IT if not then don’t confuse people. I am in favor pf wearing mask and will do so from now on. Even though n95 are out of stock everyway Im looking into a 100%cotton cloth alternative. Something is better than nothing.
The only thing a cotton mask will protect you from is your own fingers. It will remind you not to touch your eyes, nose, mouth.
I’ve been wearing a mask when I go to the store. I believe if more people wore mask it would really help prevent the spread.
Not that it’s known to reduce ambient viruses floating in the air, why not?
First word was meant to be “now”–don’t know if it was me or me & autocorrect. Sometimes autocorrect comes up w/funny stuff, but “not” changes the whole meaning.
If people want to make their own cloth mask, then good for them. But it really bothers me to see so many people wearing N95 or surgical masks when there is a critical national shortage for medical professionals. We need to save these supplies for people working in hospitals because the supply is nearly depleted.
What it does is be a reminder to not touch your face; it does not prevent the transmission of Coronavirus-19. As it says, “The guidance does not require people to wear face coverings – and is not a substitute for the state’s current guidance regarding social distancing and hand washing. The state also does not recommend Californians use N-95 or surgical masks, which are needed for our health care workers and first responders who will be there for when our lives at risk.” Imo, if the state is going to require its residents to wear masks, it/the state should make them available. It is close to disgusting to see people wearing the all-important to health care workers N95 masks outside of the health care setting.
Is is past time….we need these coverings especially as things intensify. The Asians have had this practice for years…wake up.
If those “left over” are still in their protective coatings, perhaps they should be donated to Cottage?
Wearing masks is going to help slow the spread. Of course we will keep washing hands, cleaning areas, and practicing serious social distancing. Lots of people I know still have masks from Thomas fire. Use them if you have them. I see people use scarves too. probably not as good as mask
but definitely helps for a quick visit to a store.