Clinic offers face covering exemptions, but Santa Cruz County officials say studies debunk theories
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION)
UPDATE 7/17/2020 2 p.m. A Santa Cruz County doctor who believes a note offering to provide patients with a doctor's note to exempt them from wearing a face covering called KION to share more information about the note.
The doctor said the note was distributed before a mask order was issued and was only given to patients with specific respiratory issues.
PREVIOUS STORY: Santa Cruz County officials shared a note from what appears to be a local clinic offering to provide patients with a doctor's note to exempt them from wearing a face covering.
The note argued that masks are not a fix for COVID-19 protection, but the County said studies have debunked internet theories that face coverings are harmful.
In the note, the clinic said a virus can pass through respirators or masks, they do not fit tightly over the nose and mouth, it is difficult to keep a mask on for long periods of time and people tend to touch their face more often when they wear a mask.
According to a study titled 'Testing the efficacy of homemade masks: would they protect in an influenza pandemic?', homemade masks are not a perfect solution, but they are better than no protection. The study looked at the ability of several household materials to block bacterial and viral aerosols. It found that surgical and homemade masks reduced the number of microorganisms released by the people wearing them, and surgical masks were three times more effective in blocking transmission.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said face coverings should be worn when around others, even when people do not feel sick, to protect others. The reason it is recommending use of a homemade mask instead of a surgical or N95 mask is because the supplies are needed for healthcare workers or first responders. Face coverings are recommended for everyone over the age of 2 when in public settings or around people who do not live in the same household.
The CDC said children younger than 2, anyone who has trouble breathing and anyone who is unconscious or unable to remove a face covering without help does not need to wear one.
In addition to this, local and state orders require the use of face coverings when around people who are not in the same household, and Santa Cruz County officials said that businesses may refuse customers who refuse to wear masks, even with a note.
