COVID-19 Status Update for 09/30/2022

Update for Sept. 30, 2022 includes: Over Age 50? Get Boosted and Get Treated; Flu Season is Here: Fight the Flu; Upcoming COVID-19 Forums for Schools, Seniors; Know your COVID-19 Community Level; and updated local COVID-19 data… Read More

Masks and face coverings

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Wear a mask.

Wear a mask or face covering for added protection from COVID-19. Masks help stop the spread of the virus. They protect individuals, the medically vulnerable, and those unable to get vaccinated, like young children.

When to wear a mask.

Presently, there is no local masking mandate in Marin County, however California masking guidelines remain in effect.

Everyone must wear masks in the following settings, regardless of vaccination status:    

  • Healthcare settings
  • Long-term care (including adult and senior care facilities)

Masks are strongly recommended in:

  • Emergency shelters or heating/cooling centers
  • Jails and prisons
  • Homeless shelters
  • Public transit, stations, terminals, and airports
  • Indoor public settings
  • K-12 schools
  • Childcare

Use the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels to understand when you should wear a mask, depending on if Marin County is in the low, medium, or high risk level. You should use information about the current COVID-19 Community Levels in Marin to decide which prevention behaviors to use and when (at all times or at specific times), based on you own risk for severe illness and that of members of your household, their risk tolerance, and setting-specific factors. The CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels are based on hospitalization rates, hospital bed occupancy, and COVID-19 incidence during the preceding period.

Feeling sick, tested positive, or had a close contact

You should stay away from others and wear a mask if you...

 

 

Upgrade your mask

When cases are on the rise or your risk is higher, increase your protection by upgrading your mask.

Most effective (Best):

  • N95

More effective (Better):

  • KF94
  • KN95
  • Double mask
    • Wear two masks (disposable mask underneath AND cloth mask on top)

Effective (Good):

  • Well fitting surgical mask

Least effective (Fair):

  • Cloth mask

    • It should fit snugly and have at least 3 or more layers
    • A cloth mask is better than no mask

Whatever mask you wear, make sure it fits to your face closely and without gaps.

Wear your mask correctly

  • Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
  • Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
  • Make sure you can breathe easily
  • A face covering can be made of cloth, fabric, or other breathable material, but it should not have holes

how to wear a mask correctly

 

Know Your COVID-19 Community Level.

COVID-19 Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in your area. 

  • HIGH: Wear a mask indoors in public.
  • MEDIUM: Wear a mask if you or someone in your household is at high risk for severe illness.
  • LOW: Wear a mask based on your personal preference.

Remember, people may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level. 

 

Masks in the workplace

Cal/OSHA has issued the following mask requirements.

  • Masks are strongly recommended indoors
    • In outbreaks, wear masks indoors and outdoors when you can’t maintain six feet of distance
  • Masks are not required outdoors (except during outbreaks)
    • Workers should train for outdoor use of face coverings
  • Employers must provide unvaccinated employees with NIOSH-certified respirator masks for voluntary use when:
    • Working indoors, or 
    • In a vehicle with others

In addition, businesses may elect to implement indoor face covering policies that are stricter than current CDPH masking guidelines (e.g., requiring all patrons and employees to wear a mask). 

More information: