FACE COVERINGS: HOW, WHEN & WHERE TO WEAR THEM, INCIDENT REPORT
The County of Los Angeles is regularly updating resources on COVID-19 and offers today’s update in an effort to keep you and yours informed. Please share the following up-to-date information:
Have you wondered whether or not you’ve mastered the art of wearing a face covering correctly?
Today, we highlight the very things your face covering should do when you’re wearing it correctly. Before we *cover* these, please note: you always want to wash your hands before handling your face covering.
Ok, here we go! You know you’re wearing your face covering like a pro if your mask:
- Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of your face.
- Is secured with ties or ear loops.
- Includes multiple layers of fabric.
- Allows for breathing without restriction.
- Is able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
- Covers mouth and nose with no gaps between your face and the mask.
Also, while wearing your face covering be careful not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth when removing your face covering. And you should wash your hands immediately after removing it.
If you’re more of a visual learner – you’re in luck! We’ve prepared the following for you:
Face Covering Video (link opens in new tab)
And because many have run into the challenge of foggy glasses, while wearing face coverings, we offer you…
Tips for Avoiding Foggy Glasses When Wearing Your Face Covering:
- Wash your glasses with soapy water. Research has shown that washing glasses with soapy water, and letting them air dry before putting on your mask, reduces fogging.
- Use tissue paper. Placing tissue paper between your glasses and the bridge of your nose may help absorb the moisture that causes foggy glasses.
If you still have questions on face coverings, read (link opens in new tab) LA County’s Department of Public Health (DPH) Guidance on Face Coverings or visit (link opens in new tab) their website.
Face Coverings: When and Where To Wear Them
When
LA County’s Health Officer Order does not require wearing face coverings while in the backyard or while on a solitary run or walk. County residents are required, however, to wear face coverings when in contact with other people who are not household members (whether you’re in a public or private space). So, if you’re on a solitary run or walk – and you see someone approaching – put on your face covering!
And remember: face coverings are not a substitute for always practicing physical distancing & frequent hand washing.
Where
LA County’s Order is effective for all 10 million people who live in LA County. There is one circumstance, however, under which this may not be the case: when your local jurisdiction has a face covering order of their own.
A few of you have asked, “My city issued its own face covering order. Which order am I supposed to follow? The county’s or my city’s?” Where local jurisdictions have implemented face covering orders of their own, the stricter order will apply.
We urge you to contact your local jurisdiction by phone or online, to see if they’ve issued a face covering order of their own. If not, you’ll certainly want to abide by LA County’s Health Officer Order, in order to keep you and your loved ones safe.
For more information on how to stay safe during the COVID-19 emergency health crisis, visit covid19.lacounty.gov (link opens in new tab).
Incident Report
Our daily report is a high level summary of L.A. County Emergency Operations Center’s response to the COVID-19 health emergency. View (link opens in new tab).
COVID-19 Digital Communications Guide & Toolkit
View (link opens in new window) our updated COVID-19 Digital Communications Guide, and get tips on Best Practices, Do’s and Don’ts, Key Messaging, and our Social Media Toolkit – with multi-lingual graphics and messages like the ones seen below.
Access our Social Media Toolkit here (link opens in new tab).
Let’s continue to work together and help one another to slow the spread of the virus. Join us and protect people who are most vulnerable. Bring your own mask. #BYOM
More information about mask and face coverings at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/byom/ (link opens in new tab)
Chinese: 讓我們繼續共同努力,互相幫助,減慢病毒的傳播速度。 加入我們,保護最脆弱的群眾。 帶上自己的口罩。 #BYOM
有關口罩和面罩的更多信息,請瀏覽 https://covid19.lacounty.gov/byom/ (link opens in new tab)
Korean: 계속해서 함께 하고 서로를 도와 바이러스 확산을 늦추십시오. 우리와 함께 가장 취약한 사람들을 보호하십시오. 자신의 마스크를 챙기십시오. #BYOM
마스크 및 얼굴 가리개에 대한 자세한 내용은 https://covid19.lacounty.gov/byom/을 참조하십시오.
Spanish:Sigamos trabajando juntos y ayudándonos unos a otros para disminuir la propagación del virus. Únete a nosotros y protege a las personas más vulnerables. Trae tu propia máscara. #BYOM
Más información sobre máscaras y coberturas faciales en https://covid19.lacounty.gov/byom/ (link opens in new tab)
Additional Resources
The County of Los Angeles appreciates your continued partnership in responding to COVID-19 questions and needs of residents. For additional information, please visit:
- County of Los Angeles: covid19.lacounty.gov (link opens in new tab)
- County of Los Angeles Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov (link opens in new tab)
- California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov (link opens in new tab)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov (link opens in new tab)
- Los Angeles County residents can also call 2-1-1