BROWN COUNTY – As the public awaits the Brown County Board’s decision regarding face coverings, effective immediately Brown County Health and Human Services – Public Health Division is reaffirming its Emergency Advisory which stipulates everyone age 5 and older should wear a face covering or mask when in any enclosed building where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, could be present and when social distancing of 6 feet or more cannot be maintained or guaranteed.

“Brown County Public Health has been recommending the use of masks for months, including adding masking recommendations for businesses to our Reopening Brown County plan,” said Anna Destree, Brown County Public Health Officer. “While many in our communities have chosen to wear masks to protect their friends and families, their coworkers, and the community at large, there are others that have chosen not to despite the evidence that wearing a mask to slow the spread of disease works.”

Per the advisory, people should wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in public, including in businesses, health care settings, when waiting in line, and on public transportation.

The advisory also indicates individuals are to wear face coverings when in someone else’s home when that person is not of the same family group.

Exceptions are made for certain activities such as eating at a restaurant, but during those activities, 6 feet distancing of individuals not from the same household or living unit should always be followed.

Some people may be exempted if they have a physical, mental, or developmental condition that prevents them from wearing a mask.

“I think it’s great that the healthcare leadership in Brown County has shown their support for a universal masking mandate,” said Destree. “In doing so, it not only shows healthcare’s support for masking which we know is an evidence-based strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19, but it has also allowed for conversation around universal masking to occur.”

If someone is unable to wear a mask or face covering in a business due to a condition or disability, people should ask that business for reasonable accommodation, like a curbside pickup or a delivery option.

Children ages 2 through 4 are highly encouraged to wear masks in public, and children age 5 and older are advised to wear masks.

If a child is not able to wear a mask, then he or she should only be brought to places where it is necessary, so the child does not get or spread COVID-19 to others.

People can cover their faces a variety of ways to comply with this advisory.

Simply wear a bandanna, scarf, or neck gaiter around the nose and mouth.

Or people may create a cloth face covering by either sewing one or using a no-sew method as demonstrated on the CDC website.

In addition to wearing a mask, these actions will help protect people from COVID-19:

• Stay home if you are sick or feel off.

• Stay home if you do not need to go out. Working from home, virtual gatherings and using curbside or delivery ordering are still the safest and best options to protect yourself and others.

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and/or use hand sanitizer.

• Stay 6 feet from other people. Respiratory droplets are expelled into the air when other people cough, sneeze, talk and breathe. Staying 6 feet from others will lower the chances of you encountering the virus from those droplets.

• Assume you have encountered COVID-19 if you go out. Watch for symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. If someone has these symptoms, call a doctor to be tested.

This advisory should not be used as justification to harass or harm another person who is either wearing or not wearing a face covering.

Individuals may have disabilities or other conditions that prohibit them from wearing masks.

This advisory remains in effect until further notice.