Face Coverings to Reduce Disease Spread
Summit County’s Public Health Order, issued on April 25, 2020, requires that individuals wear non-medical cloth face coverings over both mouth and nose whenever indoors in public spaces, and outdoors whenever 6 ft. of separation cannot be maintained. This requirement is based on new evidence showing that persons without COVID-19 symptoms can spread the virus without knowing it. The virus is believed to be spread person-to-person, through respiratory droplets.
Face coverings are not a replacement for physical distancing. It is critical to remember that maintaining at least 6 feet of physical distancing continues to be the most important strategy for limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Face coverings are an additional public health measure to help control the spread of this virus. Community members can fashion cloth face coverings from household items or make them at home from common materials at low cost.
Sewing for Summit
If you would like to help, we are working with the FIRC Bag Ladies to sew, donate, and distribute cloth face coverings throughout the community.
To sew the face coverings, please use the PDF pattern linked below. There is also an instructional video to watch.
Once you have sewn the cloth face coverings, place them in a plastic bag and drop them off at any of the Summit County Library book drop boxes.
If you have questions, email:
EOClogistics@summitcountyco.gov
Resources:
Face Covering PDF Pattern
Instructional YouTube Video
If you have made masks to share with our community, tag us on social media so we can see all your hard work: #SewingforSummit #ColoradoMaskProject #OutbreakofKindness
Exceptions
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance.
Masks v. Face Coverings
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
Cleaning a Face Covering
Face coverings should be washed routinely, depending on the frequency of use. A washing machine should suffice in properly cleaning a face covering. If you do not have a washing machine, wash vigorously by hand, using soap and hot water.
Placing a Face Covering On and Taking It Off
It is important to be careful when putting a face cover on and taking it off. Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing. It is also important not to touch the outer portion of the cover which may have virus on it. Here is a good instructional video by National Jewish Health.
Tips, Instructions and Information Resources
- CDC offers general guidance on face covers.
- Several organizations describe how to make a cloth face cover:
- CDC provides instructions for making a sewn face covering and a no-sew covering.
- Here’s an instructional video from the U.S. Surgeon General for a simple no-sew covering.
- And here’s a video from 9news that demonstrates how to make a no-sew face covering with shoelaces and an old shirt.