While mask mandates and other social distancing rules have loosened up, social distancing can still be an important practice for some people. 

Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says there may be people in the community who may still need or want to follow certain social distancing practices such as wearing a mask in public. 

“The places and the situations for continuing to mask depend partly on the individual’s health status. For someone with a tendency to get sicknesses involving the lungs, such as bronchitis, or for those with a chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD it sure makes sense to wear a mask when going out among strangers.”

Cohran tells Raccoon Valley Radio it can be difficult to tell if someone may have been in contact with COVID-19

“You can’t tell by looking at someone that they’ve been exposed to COVID and are now infectious. Remember that wearing a mask can protect others so consider their level of risk too. When visiting an older adult or someone with poor health it’s considerate to put on a mask so you don’t bring them germs of any kind.”

For more COVID-19 information you can go here.