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Face Covering Directive Doing Our Part
Friends and Neighbors,
I want to start by thanking you and recognizing the acts of community service and sacrifice that each of us has made to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Every day I hear new stories from families, small businesses, and community-based organizations about the deepening personal and financial consequences this crisis has imposed. I hear you and we are fighting so that our communities will have a pathway to recovery once we are able to safely resume our lives.
Today, a major new announcement was made by public health officials in King County that beginning next Monday (May 18) most residents will be directed to wear face coverings in most public settings. This is an essential act which will protect those most in danger of contracting the virus and ultimately slow its spread.
This means we must wear a face covering at any indoor or outdoor public space where we may be within 6 feet of someone who does not live in our homes. A face covering is not needed if we are outside walking, exercising, or otherwise outdoors and able to maintain the six-foot distancing guidelines.
Here are some of the places where we are being strongly urged to wear face coverings:
Buses, light rail, and other forms of public transportation.
Stores that sell food and beverages, including: grocery stores, pharmacies, corner stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, farmers markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, and big box stores that sell groceries.
Retail stores, including: convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair shops, hardware and home improvement stores, garden stores that sell supplies for growing food, office supply stores, and home appliance stores.
Restaurant take-out and food businesses. Employees who prepare, carry out, and deliver food must wear masks.
Cannabis, tobacco, and vapor shops and stores that sell dietary supplements.
Health officers want to stress that they are asking us to wearing face coverings. Do not use medical masks. Wear fabric face coverings, such as cloth face masks, scarves, and bandanas. It is important to save medical-grade surgical masks and N95 respirators for healthcare workers and people who have special health needs.
Some people do not need to follow this directive, including:
Children ages 2 years and younger. Babies and toddlers under age two should never wear cloth face coverings. Children between 2 and 12 should only wear a face covering if a parent or caregiver supervises to make sure its worn safely.
Anyone with a disability that makes it hard for them to wear or remove a face covering.
Anyone who is deaf and moves their face and mouth to communicate.
Anyone who has been advised by a medical professional to not wear a face covering because of personal health issues.
Anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or unable to remove the face covering without help.
Individuals are strongly urged to do their part by wearing masks as outlined in this new Directive. There is no criminal, civil, or financial penalty for failing to wear a face covering in these settings, but we owe it to one another.
Businesses and individuals must continue to follow all existing COVID-19 orders from the Local Health Officer, Governor, or other local, state, or federal regulatory agencies, and any other relevant local, state, or federal civil rights laws. In addition, businesses are required to post signage advising individuals to wear face coverings on the premises. Businesses can download a sign that can be used for this purpose at https://www.kingcounty.gov/masks.
In the coming weeks, our office will be working with community partners to distribute face coverings around District 2. More information to follow.
Lets all continue to do our part. We are literally saving lives.
Sincerely,
Girmay Zahilay
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