Saturday, September 30, 2023
Public Health Officer Tom Locke issued a masking directive May 28 requiring all individuals in Jefferson County to wear face coverings over their noses and mouths when they are at indoor and outdoor public locations and cannot maintain a 6-foot distance from others.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
Public Health Officer Tom Locke issued a masking directive May 28 requiring all individuals in Jefferson County to wear face coverings over their noses and mouths when they are at indoor and outdoor public locations and cannot maintain a 6-foot distance from others.
Because of the shortage of medical-grade or N95 respirators for health-care workers, individuals should use fabric face coverings, such as cloth face masks, scarves and bandanas, he said.
“COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets and aerosols,” Locke wrote in a press release. “Cloth facial masks are an effective way of trapping the respiratory droplets and aerosols and preventing the spread of respiratory infections, including coronavirus.”
But to be effective, a high percentage of people must wear masks while in public places, he said.
“Some people mistakenly believe that masks are purely a personal choice,” he said. “This is a dangerously mistaken and self-centered belief. The main function of the mask is to protect other people from you, not to protect you from other people.”
Those who are sick, must stay home. But some people can carry the coronavirus without experiencing symptoms.
“Arguing that you have a right not to wear a mask when in close proximity to others is arguing that you have the right to expose them to an infection that can have deadly consequences,” he wrote.
The directive also asks owners and operators of businesses to require customers to wear masks inside their business. This does not apply to restaurants, bars, or taverns while customers are eating or drinking.
Businesses, ports and marinas in Jefferson County must also post notice at entry points indicating that wearing cloth face masks is required inside businesses in Jefferson County. These notices must be posted no later than seven days after Jefferson County begins full implementation of Phase 2 of the governor’s “Safe Start” plan for reopening.
Jefferson County will move into the full Phase 2 — with the exception of overnight camping — on June 1, the same day that both Clallam and Kitsap counties will have moved to Phase 2.
Requiring face masks is not a replacement for social distancing and hand washing protocols, according to Locke’s directive.
In addition, face masks must be worn properly to be effective. Before putting on a mask and after removing a mask, an individual should clean their hands with alcohol-based hand rub, or soap and water. While in use, avoid touching the mask. Masks should be changed and washed in between use.
Face masks are not required for children under the age of 2; children between the ages of 2 and 12 unless supervised by a parent; individuals who are unable to remove face masks without assistance; individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and rely on facial and mouth movements for communication; and individuals who have been advised by a medical professional that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to their health.
Read more in the June 3 edition of The Leader.
11 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Conrad
As far as enforcement of this edict, I'm getting a mental picture of Donald Sutherland in the final scene of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
Saturday, May 30, 2020 Report this
BoatFixx
IMHO...
Too late in the game, waaay too late.
March/April maybe?
Now?
Saturday, May 30, 2020 Report this
Justin Hale
If wearing a mask makes someone feel better then by all means wear one. If someone has the virus they should not be out in public period!. I don't have the virus so I choose to not wear a mask. They say I could be a carrier and not know it, well I could be in a car accident every time I drive, if I drive 25mph I will be much safer.....
Saturday, May 30, 2020 Report this
MargeS
Lame excuses for not wearing a mask. Visited Safeway today, people in the streets, WEARING MASKS, protesting the killing of a black man in Minneapolis by police.
But in Safeway I was surprised to see about half the people not wearing masks, mostly young people. Sorry I went there.
I still think it's a good idea to wear a mask in public, keeps you from spreading the virus and makes people aware there is still a virus around. U.S. Deaths from Coronavirus, 109,506 as of today.
Thanks for wearing a mask, and distancing.
Saturday, May 30, 2020 Report this
Justin Hale
"the killing of a black man in Minneapolis by police".....Correction Marge, George Floyd was killed by One policeman, Derek Chauvin, who was fired and is now in jail, will stand trial and most likely the rest of his life in prison.
Sunday, May 31, 2020 Report this
MargeS
"Using security footage, emergency services recordings and cellphone video, The Washington Post created a timeline of events immediately preceding Floyd’s death that evening. The timeline shows how his encounter with police began on one side of an intersection, where Floyd was removed from a car and handcuffed. It follows police as they bring him to his feet and walk him across the street."
I believe the consensus was that other police officers were involved. One applied the knee to the victim that killed him while he was handcuffed.
Monday, June 1, 2020 Report this
Justin Hale
" killing of a black man in Minneapolis by police"..... Wouldn't that be about the same as someone saying Black people were responsible for looting stores.
Monday, June 1, 2020 Report this
MargeS
Police in Minneapolis were present when George Floyd was killed. They did nothing to stop it. Looting is wrong, demonstrating peacefully to protest is legal in this country. Bringing in troops to shoot peaceful demonstrators should not be tolerated or for shooting looters. Arrest them and let them get their due process in court.
Do you Justin, approve of Donald Trumps reaction to what is happening in America?
And we have another case of Covid-19 in Jefferson County. A child that showed no symptoms. Still think it's smart to not wear a mask and distance?
Monday, June 1, 2020 Report this
Justin Hale
Marge, SOME police were present when George Floyd was killed, when you say "police" were present isn't that stereotyping ALL police? I suggest you look at some of the videos of the looters, stop the frame where it shows people running out of stores with stolen goods, most of them are black, would I be correct if I said Blacks are responsible for the looting?
Who said the troops were being brought in to shoot peaceful protestors i.e. law-abiding demonstrators?
People have a right to protect their property, if someone breaks into my house to rob me I have the right to shoot them, same with a business. Remember the Watts riots and how the looters avoided the Korean shops because the shop-owners were armed and willing to shoot anyone who tried to loot them.
The President has the power to call-up the military, and martial law has been ordered multiple times in this country. I totally agree with President Trump's actions. Not surprising the avowed Trump-Haters will criticize him no matter how he responds to this mess.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Report this
MargeS
"The President has the power to call-up the military, and martial law has been ordered multiple times in this country. I totally agree with President Trump's actions." Justin Hale, Trump supporter no matter what.
Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of America. That is not just my opinion. What do you call some one that when they see a small flicker of flame toss gas on it instead of trying to put it out.
The Police that stood by and watched as their fellow officer killed a man are just as guilty, and this is not the first time this has happened.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Report this
Justin Hale
I wouldn't say I'm a Trump supporter no matter what, I didn't vote for him in 16, but now after 3+ years of non-stop abuse heaped on him by the biased MSM, Democrats, and assorted Trump-Haters, I will be voting for him. Maybe if the DNC could put up a reasonable candidate instead of corrupt Joe they might have a chance to win back my vote.
History will tell Trumps Legacy, not some opinion from a Trump-Hater.
The policemen who stood by and did nothing are accomplices to murder and should be held accountable.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Report this