Health Officials Change Position on Face Mask Effectiveness
Press release from the County of Humboldt:
Following new guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich is now recommending members of the public wear face coverings when leaving their homes on essential business.
The recommendation comes after emerging information that suggests a possible benefit to having members of the public mask when outside their home.
“Because of this, I am recommending that all members of our community use face coverings of some kind when leaving their home for essential activities,” Dr. Frankovich said. She added that these face coverings may include a cloth mask, bandana, scarf or similar garment and should be used in conjunction with the terms of the shelter order and social distancing guidelines that stipulate a minimum of six feet between people.
Due to a national shortage of masks needed for health care workers and first responders, surgical masks, unexpired N95 masks, and other essential protective equipment is not recommended for everyday use at this time unless you already have a supply at home for personal use.
While there is still no evidence that face covering protects the person wearing it from getting infected, it may help reduce the spread of virus from people who do not yet know they have the infection.
“Because symptoms may be mild and not everyone will even realize they are sick, they may unintentionally infect other people,” Dr. Frankovich said. “Wearing a face covering will help reduce the chance that you are spreading the infection to others. If everyone in our community wears a mask, it can help to keep us all safer.”
For more information about face covering, please read our Face Covering FAQ.
For the most recent guidance related to COVID-19, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting [email protected] or calling 707-441-5000.
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19,
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19,
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19,
and Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert
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All I can say is Wow really? We are just so far behind the real world it just amazes me! I think we really need to promote travel so Americans are not so frickin naive to reality!
Steve blohrer you really came to the rescue this time… So glad you are well traveled and can tell us (everyone who isn’t you) how naive we are… Please go on… Spout your crap.
Anyways… There are no masks for sale at any of the hardware store I’ve been too, but there are websites that can show you how to make your own. But!, all the folks I know making masks have ran out of elastic, and fabric stores are non essential… You can make masked that tie in the back, but tying a knot behind your head can/ has proven difficult for some… Good luck out there stay safe folks.
JoAnne Fabrics in Eureka is open last I heard. Try calling here to confirm.
707-442-9391
Kym and Muddy. I was able to score 250 yards of elastic on ebay. It will be at the Radio Shack fabric section on Monday after 12:00 free to anyone who is making masks for themselves or the community. Thanks for all you do keeping us informed.
Kiki, you’re a hero! Thank you!!!!
No problem, I got lucky. I’ve been making masks, if you cut a 9″ x 6″ square of fabric, you need two 5″ strips of elastic sewn in the ends. Please don’t get more than you need! Check JoAnn’s Fabric pattern for this particular pattern. I found that putting the interfacing in was a lot more work and made the mask stiff and warmer to wear. A compromise is to make it with two layers of cloth and leave an opening if you want more filters. Interfacing and coffee filters are current extra filters. If you can’t find wire or pipe cleaners for the nose piece (to make it fit better) I found that thin strips of aluminum flashing rounded at the ends works well. Best wishes to all of us. Stay safe!
I am sewing masks and I must say that you need your elastic in 7 1/2″ to 8″ lengths!
thank you so much to generously donated the much-needed elastic!!
If a person does not want to travel to Eureka, Branscomb Center/Radio Shack is open these days from 10:30 to 5:30 Mon-Fri. We have fabric, ribbon, and will have Kiki’s donated elastic as long as it lasts. We do have more elastic coming in from our supplier later this week.
Thank you, Kym for keeping our community so well informed.
When the Muddy said the stores were out, I assumed that Branscomb Center had been checked until I saw Kiki’s post. Good to know that you have the needed supplies.
Without testing many people will remain optimistic and continue to behave in ways that endanger us all.
STAY HOME
WASH YOUR HANDS
WEAR A MASK
STAY HOME
We NEED more testing
Umpqua made me remove my mask and sunglasses at the teller window today to make a deposit. They refused to process my transaction when I said I didn’t want to. 😡
That’s funny, they fidgeted uncomfortably and reached below the counter and pushed something when I went in with my bandanna on and my necessary firearm in my left hand. I think this nervousness thing about the corona virus has gone too far so I just walked out. I left feeling unwanted and more socially isolated than ever.
Thanks J J, needed that laugh today
Sweet
Masks are an effective way to avoid transmission because they keep your hands away from your face.
Not because they think the virus is traveling in little micro droplets floating in the air.
OMG-sters! Thank you for clarifying that. Usually I think the exact opposite of what is really going on. Your comment has shown me that things are even more thus, than they were before.
Yes. Masks are for the protection of the wearer from themselves. They also let others know you prefer to keep a distance. Avoid lots of sugar, and if you get hot and sweaty (from exercise or…fun) don’t cool down in temperatures that would be uncomfortably cold otherwise (outside after dark, an especially cold room). Common sense. Stress is horrible for anybody’s health. I can’t recommend comedy enough, laughter is the best medicine. This will all be yesterday’s news….soonish.
IMHO masks help that’s why doctors and nurses wear them.
They don’t keep your hands away from your face cause most people keep trying to adjust them to a better position.
Do do we have to wear a mask in public or is it optional? I can’t breath as well with a mask over my mouth and nose.
There’s no law but, it is highly recommended. Please try.
So this whole situ with the masks is messed up.. first they tell you, mask can’t help. Then they tell you they do. I totally understand there is a shortage and true N 95’s should go to the workers first.. but that kind of false unreliable info they spread is messed up!
Anyway I read an article about how the blue shop towels (in rolls like paper towels) are Good filters. This company bought machines and did Tests on them, they work well. They breath nice, and are soft on your face and disposable.
Here’s the article..
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=2ahUKEwjNktWd5s3oAhWkPH0KHWCiAsUQFjAEegQIBxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.sg%2Fhomemade-mask-using-hydro-knit-shop-towel-filters-better-2020-4&usg=AOvVaw3UHRZsjcGmuTE7k9BjG0mu
And easy no sew masks made from them. They work great under a bandana. Not super stylish.. but.. better than nothing..
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=2ahUKEwims5Ps583oAhWaIDQIHVdwCEoQwqsBMAN6BAgKEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DedQAHCRTIVQ&usg=AOvVaw0ItkxtWPERtLZ1TV_dp0PE
Thank you for your links to making no sew masks, I put it on Facebook because there is a lot of people that don’t know how to sew and can’t afford or find masks.
Nitpicking but the CDC did not say exactly something false. Their position was that a healthy person does not gain benefit from a face mask and those who are sick shouldn’t be out. ” Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, initially resisted the idea of universal mask use because of concerns that recommending face coverings might undermine messages that people should stay at home as much as possible, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk about the issue.
Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and others like the idea of recommending face coverings for when people are in public, the individual said.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/31/coronavirus-masks-cdc/
But of course the fact that covid-19 has been determined to spread before a person feels the symptoms and even those with symptoms don’t neccessarily stay in, it would be good if everyone felt pressure to wear a mask to keep from spreading disease. I wear one because it makes me feel more protected but am willing to acknowledge that that is probably an illusion. I still do it, no matter that I felt silly at first.
real stable genius
https://youtu.be/n1y9KOesF6w
Puppets …are you listening to them still 😂😂😂😂
I was wearing a nk 95 face mask in Eureka while I went to Shell gas station on W Harris Street. When I went to pay the attendant demanded that I take the mask off. I had shown him my driver’s license and had a debit card.