Camp Murray, WA — Washington state health officials are now recommending covering your face if you head into public to battle spread of COVID-19.
The state Health Department issued the new guidance Friday night saying the state is experiencing significant community-based transmission of the virus and recent information suggests that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 may not have any symptoms, and even those who do have symptoms can transmit the infection before showing signs of illness.
The Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that people wear cloth face coverings when they are in public settings where they cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from others. This might include trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, health clinic or similar places.
Officials point out the recommendation is not a substitute for existing guidance to maintain 6-feet of physical distance from non-household members and performing frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. They say wearing cloth face coverings will not prevent spread of COVID-19 without these other protective measures.