COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Friday, President Trump announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will begin recommending the public use non-medical or non-surgical grade masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
While the state of Ohio won’t be requiring citizens to wear masks out in public, during the daily press conference with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton, the three echoed the CDC’s recommendations.
DeWine reminded Ohioans to not fear the stigma of wearing a mask and reiterating how helpful it can be for our health.
"In many cultures around the world, wearing a mask is just part of the culture - it is a socially accepted act of kindness," DeWine said. "Wearing a mask should not scare people. It is a good thing. It is a considerate thing. It is a courageous thing."
The governor said that when someone is wearing a mask in public it should be looked at as a positive thing—that the individual wearing the mask is being thoughtful in trying to keep their germs away from the public.
DeWine said he intends to wear a mask when in public and hopes the rest of the state does as well.
For days that I'm in the public, I intend to wear a mask. Not an N95 mask, but one that @FranDeWine made. There are limitations to them, but masks help. Wearing a mask should be accepted. We won't require them in #Ohio, but I intend on wearing one and you should consider doing so
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) April 4, 2020
Husted agreed with DeWine, sharing that his wife wears a mask when she makes her grocery store trips.
“We appreciate when we see people in these stores wearing a mask because they’re trying to do us all a favor,” Husted said. “This is not something we should be scared about it. It’s just something that, in society, it actually shows respect for one another—that we’re trying to do our best to slow the spread.”
State officials are asking that the public not wear hospital masks or N95 respirator masks, as those on the frontlines need those the most and the supply of personal protective equipment is already staggeringly low. Instead, the public is asked to wear homemade, fabric masks or face coverings.
Acton said that homemade masks are important to protect other people from germs.
Homemade fabric masks, Acton said, are about 80 percent effective, which helps slow the spread of the coronavirus.
To learn how to make your own mask, click here.
If you have a photo wearing a homemade mask, you can help break the stigma by posting them on your social media accounts with the hashtag #InThisTogetherOhio.
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