The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends every person wear a cloth face covering (cloth mask, bandana, etc.) when entering a health care facility and all public settings where maintaining social distancing is difficult (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.)

Beginning April 22, Kootenai Health asks that all patients and visitors begin wearing a cloth face covering before entering any patient care buildings:

• Kootenai Health hospital

• All Kootenai Clinic locations

• Kootenai Urgent Care locations

• Kootenai Health Rehabilitation Services locations

Wearing a face covering helps everyone keep their germs to themselves and prevents the spread of illness especially among those who may not be aware they have it.

To be clear, these are not surgical face masks or N-95 respirators. Those kinds of face coverings need to be reserved for health care workers. But you can wear a homemade cloth face covering, scarf or bandana when you’re on essential errands in public. It might help prevent you from spreading the virus to other people.

Why the change?

The CDC revised its stance about cloth face coverings after studies showed that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 could spread the virus even if they have no symptoms themselves. If you wear a face mask routinely, there may be less chance you’ll spread the disease if you have it.

Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. You still need to stay home as much as possible and stay at least 6 feet away from other people in public.

Also keep in mind, cloth face coverings should not be placed on:

• Children under age 2.

• Anyone who has trouble breathing.

• Anyone who is unable to remove the mask without help.

What to look for in a cloth face covering

You can make your own cloth face coverings at home. They should be made out of a material you can clean in a washing machine. That includes things like cotton sheets, a bandana or an old T-shirt.

Cloth face coverings should also:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of the face.

• Be secured with ties or ear loops.

• Include more than one layer of fabric.

• Allow for easy breathing.

• Be able to be washed and dried without changing shape.

You should wash your cloth face mask often. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth when taking off your mask. And after you take it off, wash your hands right away.

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Kootenai Health and the Panhandle Health District are actively working to share information about COVID-19 with our community. You can find the latest updates and ways to protect yourself at cdc.gov/covid19. If you have questions about COVID-19 or think you may have the virus, call the Panhandle Health District COVID-19 hotline at 1-877-415-5225.