Incident Command shares CDC face mask recommendations
The local COVID-19 Incident Command shared some guidelines regarding wearing face masks and where to donate locally in the Tuesday, April 7 daily update.
As of 8:22 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, there have been 54 tests administered locally; 49 have returned negative, five are pending.
Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made additional recommendations for wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement from the Lassen Incident Command shared. CDC provides the following information regarding homemade masks:
• Wear cloth face coverings where you can’t maintain other social distancing measures (shopping in stores).
•Simple cloth coverings can slow the spread of the virus.
•Children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or unable to remove their own mask should not use cloth face coverings.
•Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, but allows those resources to be reserved for healthcare working and medical first responders.
For those that are looking for a simple way to create a mask, CDC has provided stepby-step instructions for both “sew” and “no sew” masks.
There are many resources and tutorials on YouTube for making face coverings at home with different styles that include pockets for filters and space for a metal nose piece. If you are planning on donating homemade masks, be sure to wash fabric before sewing, wash and dry masks after making them, and put each mask in its own bag (sandwich bag or paper lunch sack).
Additionally, the statement noted Banner Lassen Medical Center and Banner Health Clinic are gratefully accepting donations of homemade masks for their team members. They have a process in place to safely receive, sort these masks and then distribute them in our hospital and clinic. To donate, drop them off at the screening station. (Note these will not be worn by Healthcare Providers directly caring for COVID-19 patients, nor in any procedure rooms or Isolation areas.)
