A mandatory mask order is going into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, in Wyandotte County, and it’s not always easy to find masks in stores here.
Everyone will be required to wear a mask in public places starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Also, people should continue social distancing and hand-washing, according to the Wyandotte County health order. Those who are sick should stay home, according to the health officials.
Doctors have said that a cloth mask does not provide 100 percent protection against COVID-19, but if everyone is wearing one, then protection increases.
There are some exceptions to who must wear masks. Children under 5 do not have to wear a mask, and those who have medical conditions that make it difficult to wear a mask do not have to wear them.
The Unified Government Health Department has shared a CDC link that tells people how to make their own cloth face masks. It is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html.
A cloth mask can be made out of any material, and closely woven fabric is better. A bandana or an old T-shirt can be made into a cloth mask.
This pattern takes about five minutes or less to make, once you have the items. Here are the CDC directions for making your own no-sew cloth mask:
To see an earlier story about the mask order, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/wyandotte-county-orders-people-to-wear-masks-in-public/.