Who should wear a face mask?
(KION) Should you wear a face mask? It’s a question on many minds.
Wearing a mask, like a surgical or cloth mask, may be better protection than nothing, but health experts say that they are really most effective at preventing sick people from passing along the virus to others, rather than protecting yourself.
If you’re a health care worker, N95 masks are a critical line of defense–one that’s in short supply.
But if you’re a member of the public, it’s not as simple as a yes or no answer right now. With this situation rapidly evolving, health care experts are learning more everyday.
For now, if you’re sick, you should wear one to help prevent the virus from spreading to others.
Governor Newsom said face coverings should not be a replacement for proper social distancing at a news conference Wednesday.
“They are not a substitute for physical distancing. They are not a substitute for a stay at home order. They are not a call to get folks to find N95 masks or surgical masks and to pull them away or compete with our first responders.”
The CDC says it is now reviewing its policy and may be considering a recommendation to encourage broader use. But at the moment only advises people who are sick or caring for someone who is sick to wear them.
The office of emergency services is working on finding ways for people to donate N95 masks for use by health care workers.
There are some drop off locations locally, including one in Monterey.
N95 mask donations can be dropped off in front of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, located at 353 Camino El Estero, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Only new masks, sealed in unopened packaging, will be accepted until Friday, April
10. The masks will help protect first responders.
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) is also accepting donations. People with unused masks that meet N95 criteria or with other donations can call 831-755-0772 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Santa Cruz County is accepting donations of cloth masks and gowns. The public can contact their COVID-19 Hotline for more information (831) 454-4242, everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
