The Christian County Health Department has provided information for residents who want to make face coverings in preparation for Gov. Andy Beshear’s request that everyone begin wearing face masks when businesses start to reopen — possibly in two weeks.
“If you don’t already have a face mask, they can easily be made (without sewing required) out of t-shirts or bandana,” the health department wrote in a Facebook post.
This link has a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a cloth face covering. It’s from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The health department notes that face coverings should:
- Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Include multiple layers of fabric
- Allow easy breathing
Reopening the economy
The state is planning phases to reopen the economy by lifting restrictions on nonessential businesses that have been closed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Phase 1 of Healthy at Work has benchmarks for reopening the economy. Those are:
- 14 days of decreasing cases
- Increased testing capacity and contact tracing
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) availability
- Ability to protect at-risk populations
- Ability to social distance and follow the CDC’s guidelines on large gatherings
- Preparedness for possible future spike
- Status of vaccine and treatment
Requirements for businesses
By May 11, businesses will be required to have their employees wear a face covering. The governor is requesting that members of the public wear face coverings when they go out, but it won’t be required.
In addition to wearing universal face masks or other necessary PPE, the 10 rules to reopening a business under the Healthy at Work plan include:
- Continue telework where possible
- Phased return to work
- Onsite temperature/health checks
- Close common areas
- Enforce social distancing
- Limit face-to-face meetings
- Sanitizer/hand wash stations
- Special accommodations
- Testing plan
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
