CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

CDC recommends cloth face covering to be worn in community settings

Apr 14, 2020, 12:27 PM | Updated: Apr 15, 2020, 5:45 pm

mask, face covering...

A masked pedestrian pauses near the Amazon headquarters on March 10, 2020, in downtown Seattle, Washington. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

After competing recommendations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends everyone wear a cloth face covering when out in public.

The cloth should cover your nose and mouth to help protect people around you as there is a chance that people could be infected with coronavirus without showing symptoms.

How to make your own protective mask

“A cloth face covering should be worn whenever people are in a community setting, especially in situations where you may be near people. These settings include grocery stores and pharmacies,” the CDC states.

As a reminder, these face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing measures. People should remain at least six feet away from one another and continue to practice frequent hand washing. If you are sick, you should stay at home.

“A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer, but it may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others.”

The recommendation from the CDC does not include surgical masks and N95 respirators as these products should be reserved for health care workers and first responders.

A journey to figure out a workable homemade protective mask

Face coverings for the general public can be made from common household items. According to the CDC, children under 2 years of age or individuals who have trouble breathing should not wear a face covering.

Coronavirus Updates

cases...

MyNorthwest Staff

Confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths across Washington state

As of Dec. 30, state health officials say there have been 747,702 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state. The state is reporting 9,853 deaths since the pandemic began.

2 years ago

incentivizing, MyIR, 70%, vaccine...

MyNorthwest Staff

CDC: How COVID-19 vaccines work

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain how the COVID-19 vaccines work in your body.

3 years ago

Mask mandate, directives...

Nick Bowman

King County assessing need for mask mandate ‘on an ongoing basis’ as COVID cases continue to rise

A mask directive in Snohomish County takes effect Thursday, but is a similar mandate in the works elsewhere in the Puget Sound region?

3 years ago

Jay Inslee, pause, reopening, vaccine order...

John Curley and Shari Elliker

Not much point in suing over Inslee’s vaccine order, says former state Attorney General

The vaccine order from Gov. Inslee for state workers stands on pretty firm legal ground, according to former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna.

3 years ago

Proof vaccination, vaccine cards...

MyNorthwest Staff

Over 100 Seattle bars, nightclubs, restaurants now requiring proof of vaccination

With COVID-19 transmission rising, dozens of Seattle bars, clubs, and restaurants are now requiring customers to provide proof of their vaccination status.

3 years ago

Gov. Jay Inslee, Washington reopens, drought, independent...

MyNorthwest Staff

Still ‘critical’ work left to do with Washington now fully reopened

After 15 long months of COVID-19 lockdowns, countless reopening phases, and even more news conferences, Washington state officially reopens today.

3 years ago

CDC recommends cloth face covering to be worn in community settings