Thurston County residents required to wear masks in public starting Thursday
Thurston County residents are required to wear masks in some public settings starting Thursday, under a directive issued by Acting Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu. However, the county says the rule will not be enforced by police or sheriff’s deputies.
Dr. Yu issued the masking directive Wednesday, after the state approved Thurston’s request to move into Phase 2 of re-opening the economy, which will allow more businesses to operate while following safety and health guidelines.
Individuals are required to wear face coverings — such as cloth face masks, scarves, and bandanas — over their noses and mouths when in indoor public settings or outdoor public settings where they can’t maintain about 6 feet of space from another individual who doesn’t live in the same household, according to the directive. The main exception will be for people who are eating or drinking.
Medical-grade or N95 respirators are still reserved for medical workers, unless a particular health reason requires it, the county directive says.
“I’m exercising my authority as Health Officer for Thurston County to require that people wear cloth face coverings in particular circumstances,” said Yu in a prepared statement. “With our approval to begin Phase 2 of Safe Start Recovery, it’s more important than ever that people be cautious, responsible, and considerate of others. We want to continue moving forward as a county. Without extra caution, we risk back-sliding.”
The directive covers public spaces, and does not apply to private offices, a county spokesperson wrote in an email to The Olympian.
“Private offices are not public spaces, however, people should wear cloth face coverings anywhere that they are unable to maintain social distancing for more than 15 minutes,” Meghan Porter wrote. “Telecommuting is encouraged for people working in offices if possible. For businesses planning to reopen in Phase 2, visit Gov. Inslee’s website for detailed guidance.”
In response to a question about outdoor recreation, such as walking, running, hiking, and bicycling, Porter wrote that the directive does not apply to those activities.
“COVID-19 does not spread easily with this type of contact,” Porter wrote. “People should respect others they are passing and try to give as much space as safely possible. Close contact is defined as being less than 6 feet away from another person for more than 15 minutes. If a person is engaged in an activity where they may expel a lot of air or droplets and will be in close contact with others, they should wear a face covering.”
Settings that fall under the directive include grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, big box stores, pet supply stores, food delivery, and public transportation. The directive also instructs commercial establishments within the county to post signs telling individuals to wear face coverings on the premises. County Public Health & Social Services plans to make signage available for download on its website.
However, according to the county news release, the directive “should be used to educate, encourage, and persuade individuals to wear face coverings,” rather than creating grounds for law enforcement or others to stop, detain, cite, arrest, intimidate, or harass people who aren’t compliant.
Porter wrote in an email that the department is working on FAQs for its website that will address questions.
Some other Washington state counties, including King, Spokane, and Whatcom, have issued similar masking directives.
Masking, according to public health officials, may not protect the wearer but it may protect the people around them by blocking infectious droplets from spreading when they cough, sneeze or speak. Recent studies show a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus don’t show symptoms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a phone interview Wednesday evening, Thurston Public Health Director Schelli Slaughter told The Olympian that wearing masks is going to be important as employees go back to work in industries that are re-opening under Phase 2, and as more people venture out into the community.
“Wearing a mask or a cloth face covering in public is really a way that you can show your care for others, and that is one of the ways that we can help our community to be able to move on to the next phase,” Slaughter said.
Exceptions to the rule
The following people are exempt from Thurston County’s directive:
- Children 3 years old and younger;
- Children 4-12 years old, unless parents and caregivers supervise the use of the face covering;
- Anyone with a disability that prevents them from comfortably wearing or removing a face covering;
- Anyone who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication;
- Anyone who has been advised by a medical, legal, or behavioral health professional that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to them; and
- Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
Tips for properly using a mask
Before donning or removing a mask, public health officials advise that people should clean their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water. They also advise changing masks when they get moist and washing them after using them. While wearing a mask, avoid touching it.
More information on cloth face coverings, how to use them, and why they’re recommended to help slow the spread of COVID-19 is available on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 6:46 PM.
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