The Greene County Board of Supervisors took another step in helping to reduce the community spread of COVID-19.

At their regular meeting on Monday, the Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the use of face coverings in the county. The resolution was fully supported by the Greene County Board of Health and they recommended the measure to the Supervisors. 

The resolution outlines where a mask should and should not be worn. The resolution also stipulates what an acceptable cloth face covering would consist of.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf reminds everyone the purpose of wearing a mask.

“When I wear a cloth face mask I am protecting you. When you wear a face mask you are protecting me. So it’s all about caring for each other in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

The resolution that was passed is only recommending everyone in the county to wear a mask, it is not a requirement. See the full resolution below.

 

Resolution 2020-36: RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE USE OF FACE COVERINGS IN GREENE COUNTY TO MITIGATE THE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19:

WHEREAS the emergence of the novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, that causes coronavirus disease,

COVID-19, can result in serious illness or death and can be easily spread from person to person; and

 

WHEREAS on January 31, 2020 the United States Department of Health and Human Services

declared a national public health emergency related to dangers posed by COVID-19; and

 

WHEREAS on March 9, 2020, the Governor of the State of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, signed a

proclamation of disaster emergency for the entire State of Iowa based on the increasing number of persons in the State of Iowa testing positive for COVID-19; and

 

WHEREAS on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic; and

 

WHEREAS on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States signed an emergency disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizing emergency response measures in all fifty states in response to COVID-19; and

 

WHEREAS the most current local data relating to COVID-19 as provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) show that the state and Greene County continue to experience significant community spread of this disease; and

 

WHEREAS as businesses, events and other gatherings across the state have re-opened or are

now allowed, thus more people are traveling and gathering throughout the state and within Greene County; and

 

WHEREAS the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a face

covering in public where other physical distancing measures cannot be maintained to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 from asymptomatic or unknowing carriers to others; and

 

WHEREAS the following are defined as:

• “Face covering” means a material that securely covers a person’s nose and mouth and

remains affixed in place without the use of one’s hands, whether purchased or homemade,

and consistent with CDC guidelines

• “Household member” means a person who lives a majority of time with the person in their

apartment, house, mobile home, or other structure intended for residential occupancy

• “Indoor public setting” means an enclosed area to which the public is invited

 

WHEREAS this resolution is not intended to be punitive or stigmatizing and is in the best interest of health, safety, and economic recovery; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Greene County Board of Supervisors that:

1. Every person in Greene County should wear a face covering when:

• In public as opposed to being in one’s place of residence, when one cannot stay six (6)

feet apart from others

• Inside of any indoor public settings, for example, but not limited to grocery stores,

pharmacies, hardware stores, retail stores

• Other public settings that are not one’s place of residence and when among persons

who do not live in the household

• Outside, if keeping six (6) feet apart from others is not possible
• Using public transportation or private car service (including taxis, ride share and

carpooling)

2. Places and times when wearing a face covering is not needed:

• While traveling in a personal vehicle alone or with household members
• While a person is alone or is in the presence of only household members
• While exercising at moderate or high intensity e.g. jogging or biking
• While seated at a food establishment and in the process of eating or drinking
• While obtaining a service that would require temporary removal of the person’s face

covering

• When federal or state law prohibits wearing a face covering or requires removal of the

face covering

3. If a cloth face covering is chosen, appropriate use of a cloth face covering includes:

• A snug fit, but comfortable against the side of the face
• Completely covers the nose and mouth
• Is secured with ties or ear loops
• Includes multiple layers of fabric
• Allows for breathing without restriction
• Can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

4. Persons who should not wear a face covering:

• Persons younger than two years old due to the risk of suffocation
• Anyone who has trouble breathing or in oxygen therapy or a ventilator
• Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a cloth face

covering without assistance

• Anyone who has been told by a medical, legal, or behavioral health professional not to

wear face coverings