How to Properly Use a Mask
Follow these guidelines to properly wear your mask:
- Wash your hands before and after touching the mask
- Touch only the bands or ties when putting on and taking off your mask
- Make sure the mask fits to cover your nose, mouth, and chin.
- Make sure you can breathe and talk comfortably through your mask.
- Wash reusable masks after each use. If the mask is disposable, discard it when visibly soiled or damaged.
Avoid these common mask mistakes:
- Don’t touch your mask while it is being worn.
- Don’t wear the mask under your chin with your nose and mouth exposed.
- Don’t leave your nose or mouth uncovered.
- Don’t remove the mask while around others in public.
- Don’t share your mask with family members or friends.
Statewide Mask/Face Covering Order FAQ
What is considered a mask/face covering?
For the purposes of the Order, a facial covering (mask) is any material that covers an individual’s nose, mouth, and chin.
What does the Order actually require?
Ohio citizens in all 88 counties shall wear facial coverings at all times when:
- In any indoor location that is not a residence.
- Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their household; or
- Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, a taxi, a private car service, or a ride sharing vehicle. This does not apply to private or rental vehicles where members of a family are sharing a vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles engaged in direct travel through a county that does not stop in that county.
What businesses are covered by the order?
For the purposes of the Order, covered businesses include any for-profit, non-profit, educational entities, or governmental entities (other than federal) regardless of the nature of the service, the function it performs, or its corporate or entity structure.
Who will enforce the Order?
Butler County’s local health departments will take all complaints from the public about persons not wearing masks, and will follow up as they are able. No fines are planned at this time unless a particular city has established its own face covering ordinance.
Who is excluded from wearing a face covering/mask?
The requirement to wear a facial covering does not apply when:
- The individual is under ten years of age,
- A medical condition, including those with respiratory conditions that restrict breathing, mental health conditions, or disability contraindicates the wearing of a facial covering.
- The individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
- The individual is along in an enclosed space, such as an office, and which space is not intended for use or access by the public
- The individual is actively engaged in exercise in a gym or indoor facility so long as six or more feet of separation between individuals exists,
- The individual is actively participating in athletic practice, scrimmage, or competition that is permitted under a separate Department of Health Order
- The individual is actively engaged in a public safety capacity, including but not limited to law enforcement, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel.,
- The individual is seated and actively consuming food or beverage in a restaurant or bar,
- Facial coverings are prohibited by law or regulation,
- Facial coverings are in violation of documented industry standards,
- Facial coverings are in violation of a business’s documented safety procedures,
- Individual is actively participating in broadcast communications, or
- Individual is an officiant of a religious service.
Where can I find the official Order?
The official Order is available on coronavirus.ohio.gov and can also be found on health.bcohio.us.
COVID-19 FAQs – Face Shields
COVID-19 is believed to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person – sometimes without showing any symptoms – coughs, sneezes, or talks. Research has shown that cloth face coverings can block these respiratory droplets. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Ohio, face coverings, with some exceptions, are required in public spaces and in K-12 schools. Face shields have not been shown to be an adequate substitute.
Should I wear a face shield instead of a mask or cloth face covering?
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not currently recommend the use of face shields as a substitute for masks/face coverings. That is because, at this time, it is not known what level of protection a face shield provides against the spray of respiratory droplets from the wearer to people nearby.
Can exceptions be made for schools?
Ohio’s K-12 facial covering order requires facial coverings that cover the nose, mouth, and chin. There are limited exceptions to the order. If one of those exceptions applies to an individual, a face shield would be appropriate. Schoolwide use of face shields instead of masks is not appropriate and does not meet the requirements of the order.
Why are masks and cloth face coverings required instead of face shields?
Masks and cloth face coverings are intended to reduce the amount of respiratory droplets sprayed from the wearer into the environment, onto other people, or onto surfaces. There is substantial evidence that they are effective at protecting people nearby from the spray of wearers.
What about a situation in which a mask can’t reasonably be used?
It is understood that some circumstances (such as the need for lip reading) require an alternative to masks. If a face shield is used in those instances, it should be worn against the forehead with no gap, wrap around the sides of the face, and extend below the chin.
What other precautions should I take if I must wear a face shield?
Social distancing of at least 6 feet from others provides an important layer of protection, even when masks are worn. If unable to use a mask, it is imperative that increased attention is placed on social distancing as well as other preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol; and increased cleaning of commonly touched surfaces.
What else should I know if I must wear a face shield?
Always wash your hands before and after removing a face shield and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing it. Disposable face shields should only be worn for a single use, and reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use according to manufacturer instructions or by following CDC face shield cleaning instructions.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Plastic face shields are NOT recommended for newborns and infants.
- Masks/face coverings should NEVER be placed on children younger than 2 or anyone who cannot remove them without assistance.
For additional information, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the COVID-19 CareLine at 1-800-720-9616.
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by taking these precautions.
- Stay home except for work and other needs
- Wear a face covering when going out
- Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet from others
- Shop at non-peak hours
- Wash hands often with water and soap (20 seconds or longer)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands or after touching surfaces
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
- Clean and disinfect “high-touch” surfaces often
- Don’t work when sick
- Call before visiting your doctor