What to know about Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for universal masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19
All Pennsylvanians should wear a mask in public to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus, the state’s governor announced Friday.
Staying home is the most effective way to protect against either contracting or spreading COVID-19, but masks could be an added layer of protection, Gov. Tom Wolf and state Health Department Secretary Rachel Levine said.
“Two days ago, I amplified our social distancing efforts by instituting a statewide stay-at-home order, and today I am asking all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask any time they leave their houses,” Wolf said in a statement. “Masks help prevent people from sharing illnesses, but they don’t do a great job at keeping people from getting sick; and they’re not foolproof, so it is critical that our first act is to ask ourselves if we really need to leave our house. If we don’t really, truly need to leave, then we shouldn’t.”
Surgical masks are not needed, Levine said. Homemade masks made of fabric and cloth can be an effective complement to proper hand hygiene and remaining more than six feet away from others.
Cloth masks should be washed after each use and should not be worn when damp or wet from spit or mucus. A scarf or bandanna may be used if a mask is not available. The governor’s office has guidance for universal mask making on its website.
“Wearing a mask will help us cut down the possibility that we might be infecting an innocent bystander, like the grocery store cashier, the pharmacist or someone stocking shelves,” Wolf said. “These people are keeping us alive by getting us the supplies we need. We owe it to them to do everything we can to keep them safe. Right now, that means wearing a mask.”
There are 8,420 cases of COVID-19 statewide as of noon Friday, including 32 in Centre County, according to the state Department of Health. Centre County’s first case of COVID-19 was reported March 20.
More than 100 people have died from the disease, while another 852 have been hospitalized since March 6. About 50% of people hospitalized are 65 and older, according to the DOH.
Amy Frank, owner of The Makery in downtown State College, spearheaded a volunteer effort to supply masks to health care professionals. A group of more than 300 sewers have produced more than 1,000 masks as of Friday, Frank said.
Their work will likely continue, however, as Frank has received requests to supply about 1,000 more masks. The group has made about 100 to 200 per day, Frank said.
“I am so impressed with this community and how they have responded; 1,000 masks in a week is no joke. It’s amazing,” Frank said. “I’m very, very proud of the community and I think this is a testament to Centre County.”
This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 3:22 PM.