By Michael G. Stogner
For Immediate Release
New Bay Area Public Health Recommendation to Cover the Face
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Bay Area health officials are recommending residents cover their nose and mouth with cloth when leaving home for essential travel such as doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits.
The regional recommendation aligns with new guidance from the California Department of Public Health.
The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. For example, bandanas, fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable. Fabric covers and bandanas can be washed and used again.
Health officials do not recommend that the public use medical masks (N-95 or surgical masks), which are in limited supply and must be preserved for our health care workers and first responders.
Up until now, local officials have not recommended the large-scale use of face coverings, but circumstances have changed.
Covering the nose and mouth with cloth also may be beneficial as a reminder to keep physical distancing. Health officials continue to stress that staying home, frequent hand
County of San Mateo
Joint Information Center Media Line: 650-779-9939 smc_ jic@smcgov.org
April 2, 2020
Cloth face coverings, when combined with physical distancing and hand washing, may prevent transmission of coronavirus to others when leaving the house for essential activities.
Medical masks should be preserved for health care workers and first responders
“In addition to shelter-in-place and social distancing requirements, wearing a mask in public is an important tool to stop the community spread of this disease,” says Scott Morrow, MD, San Mateo County health officer. “People with no or mild symptoms may have coronavirus and not know it. Wearing face coverings helps protect others from exposure.”
washing and physical distancing are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Acceptable face coverings can be made of a variety of cloth materials, be factory-made or hand-sewn, or can be improvised using bandanas, scarves, t-shirts, sweatshirts or towels.
Face coverings should be washed frequently with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle. Ideally, wash your face covering after each use, and have a dedicated laundry bag or bin.
Make sure the covering is comfortable – you don’t want to have to keep adjusting the mask, which means touching your face. Always wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer, before AND after touching your face or face coverings.
San Mateo County News 