Ventura County now encourages masks in public, but not the kind health care workers need

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - Ventura County Public Health Department is now encouraging residents to wear masks when out in public to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Public Health says the masks should be homemade and cover the nose and mouth explaining that, at this time, hospital-grade masks should be reserved for health care workers due to the shortage.

If you are interested in sewing your own masks, video instructions can be found through The Camarillo Sewing Brigade with additional instructions found here. A free pattern can also be found here.

Otherwise, masks can take the form of bandanas, scarves or any other loose fabric that can be tied around the nose and mouth.

For decades, Public Health officials nationwide and locally have said that wearing a mask for protection against the flu is unnecessary for the general public.

Now, Ventura County Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin says circumstances have changed. “There is growing evidence that people can have COVID-19 without any symptoms and that they can pass it to others at this stage. Many people wear masks thinking it will protect them from a virus, and in certain cases it may. That may also be true for COVID-19 especially if accompanied by good hand hygiene and social distancing, but now there may be a better reason to wear a mask; it will decrease the chance of you spreading it to someone else if you have the infection asymptomatically.”

This is particularly important if decreasing spread means not infecting a senior or someone with other chronic conditions.

However, Dr. Levin reminded the public that, "Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think is reasonable to add."

Stay in your place, maintain your space and cover your face.