We’re roughly six months into the pandemic and you may still be struggling with what kind of mask to wear.
The Halton Region passed a mandatory by-law for face coverings to be worn in indoor public spaces on Wednesday, July 22nd. Some exemptions to the bylaw include: Children under the age of five, as well as those with difficulties breathing or medical conditions that prevent them from wearing or taking off a mask.
The reason for passing the by-law was because studies have shown that face coverings are a very effective tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 when worn properly and when the right kind of face masks are worn.
The Acting CCM Supervisor in the Halton Health Department, Anna West, says your mask doesn’t necessarily need to be fancy, but it should be double-layered.
Some listeners may be accustomed to seeing the odd person in public improperly wearing a mask. Maybe they have their nose exposed, or it’s at their chin, or it’s too loose for their face.
West gives a rundown on how a mask should be worn.
With the pandemic ongoing, it’s unclear if face coverings and masks will be in place for the long-term. If/when an effective vaccine is introduced, we could see them fazed out, or they may be a part of our existing culture moving forward. As of writing, the mandatory mask by-law within the Halton Region is in effect until November 30th. It can always be extended.
With that in-mind, it’s important to understand why face coverings are highly recommended. You can read more on them by checking the Halton Region’s website. To do so, click here.
