Today, from the Johnson County, Missouri, Community Health Services Board of Trustees:

Face Covering Order Reissued for Johnson County

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (October 7, 2020) – Johnson County has continued to see a rise in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. This has prompted the Johnson County Public Health Officer and the Johnson County Community Health Services Board of Trustees to reissue a Face Covering Order. This order goes into effect beginning 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12.

The countywide order will stay in effect until further notice.

The face covering order is reliant upon support from key leaders, including Johnson County elected officials, municipalities, and law enforcement agencies. It urges endorsement of the county order, resulting in a more unified approach in fighting the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

The order requires individuals to wear a face covering in any indoor public location including but not limited to retail stores, grocery stores, offices, places of worship and restaurants/bars.

In addition, face coverings are required in outdoor public gathering places when social distancing is not an option.

In September 2020, Johnson County experienced a 116 percent increase of confirmed cases over a 30-day time frame.

The need for face coverings is based on the percentage of those who are unaware they have COVID-19. Wearing a mask reduces the risk of spread.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a cloth face covering is one of the most powerful weapons to slow and even stop the spread of the virus. This is especially true when used universally in a community.

The most effective approach to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is using a layered approach with the three W’s:

W – Wear a mask

W – Wash your hands

W – Watch your distance (social distancing of 6 feet)

Exceptions to wearing face covering include:

Those who are deaf or hard of hearing;
Children younger than five years old and;
Children who are younger than two years old should never wear face coverings due to the risk of suffocations.
Children who are two, three, and four years old, with the assistance and close supervision of an adult, are strongly recommended to wear a face covering at all times in settings where it is likely that a distance of at least six feet cannot be maintained from non-household members and where the vulnerable population may be present.
Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes, but is not limited to persons with a medical condition in which wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
Individuals seated in a restaurant or bar actively engaged in consuming food or drink, but only when adequately distanced from others.

[….]

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The order [pdf]: FaceCoveringOrderOct12

Wear a damn mask. And while you’re at it, wear some damn gloves.

Stay Home. Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. Good luck to us all.
#FlattenTheCurve