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Category masks Show all
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Thank you for attending yesterday's mask distribution event, Sammamish!
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkYesterday's drive-through mask distribution event at CWU Sammamish was an incredible success! Our staff and volunteers gave away over 10,500 masks to the community -- which, considering we had fewer than 200 people RSVP for the event was an exciting surprise. We even ended up opening an hour early to accommodate the early rush.
With this unexpected demand, we adjusted our full event and traffic plan. Public Works and the Sammamish PD helped with traffic management and to adjust the plan on very short notice, and we were able to set up a fourth distribution station to accommodate the influx of attendees. We're very grateful for the help of our ACERT volunteers, Sammamish Explorers, Parks staff and volunteers, and City Councilmembers who helped our Emergency Manager run the event. Volunteers and staff set up, adjusted traffic light schedules, held signs, directed traffic, packaged masks, passed them out, and communicated with the community. It was a tremendous group effort that will undoubtedly make a difference in keeping our residents safe and reduce transmission rates of COVID-19.
The remaining masks are being distributed to senior and nursing care facilities in Sammamish and to organizations that serve our vulnerable residents.
Now that you have your mask, here's how to put it on!
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Drive-Thru Mask Distribution for Sammamish Residents July 1 at CWU, 4-8 PM
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkOn July 1, from 4-8 pm at the CWU Sammamish campus, City personnel and volunteers will be handing out reusable, washable fabric masks to Sammamish residents. Masks are now required in public throughout Washington State.
Know before you go:
- Masks are made of cloth and are both washable and reusable.
- Masks are limited to 2 per member of household.
- Members of the household do not all need to be present
- This is a Limited-Contact Event:
- This event is drive-through only. No walk-ups or bicyclists will be permitted.
- Distributors will be in full PPE (personal protective equipment) for your protection.
- While we expect to have enough masks for everyone, this event is first-come, first-served.
- The event ends at 8 pm, so please plan to line up before then in order to receive your face covering.
- Access the event through CWU's Main Street entrance. (There will be signs.)
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Governor Inslee Issues Statewide Mask Requirement
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThis mandate, which applies to all public spaces, goes into effect Friday, June 26. Read the full story on the Governor's Medium page.
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New public health Directive requires masks or face coverings on transit
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkStarting Monday, May 18 until further notice, passengers are required to wear masks or face coverings while riding transit, according to a new Public Health Directive from Dr. Jeff Duchin, Public Health – Seattle & King County health officer, along with King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. Read more on the King County Metro Blog.
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King County Issues Directive to Wear Face Coverings
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkStarting on May 18, 2020, King County residents are directed to wear face coverings in most public settings.
Wear a face covering when you are at any indoor or outdoor public space where you may be within 6 feet of someone who does not live with you.
Everyone is strongly urged to wear face coverings in places such as:
- Stores that sell food and beverages (including: grocery stores, pharmacies, corner stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, farmers' markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, big box stores that sell groceries, and similar places that sell food).
- Retail stores (including: convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair shops, hardware and home improvement stores, garden stores that sell supplies for growing food, office supply stores, and home appliance stores).
- Restaurant take-out and food businesses. Employees who prepare, carry out, and deliver food must wear masks.
- Cannabis shops and stores that sell dietary supplements.
- Tobacco and vapor shops.
- Buses, light rail, and other forms of public transportation.
A face covering is not needed when you are outside walking, exercising, or otherwise outdoors if you are able to regularly stay 6 feet away from other people who do not live with you.
Learn more on the King County website -
Mask Use in the General Population
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkShould everyone in the general public be wearing masks?
Staying apart from other people is our best protection against COVID-19, but non-medical masks can be a supplement. Before deciding to wear a mask, Public Health recommends people keep two considerations central:
Medical masks should be reserved for healthcare providers who are on the front lines working to protect us all. We have had shortages of those masks and it’s critically important that our healthcare workers have the equipment they need to do their jobs.
Non-medical mask use (e.g., homemade fabric masks) does not replace the need to follow guidance to stay home and limit our contact with others. It does not replace frequent hand-washing, avoiding touching the face, and staying away from people who are ill. These are the most important steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 illness.
How might homemade cloth mask use in the general public help slow the spread of COVID-19?
Wearing a fabric mask can help prevent the spread of infection to others when the mask is worn by someone who already is infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, even if they don’t have symptoms. The mask will block infectious droplets from spreading when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes and, to a lesser degree, speaks.
To be effective, masks should be worn consistently and properly so as not to contaminate the hands or face of the user, and fabric masks should be changed when moist and washed after use. Masks that have been worn may be contaminated with infectious agents.
What about if I make my own masks or repurpose things around the house like bandanas?
Well-designed homemade or commercially manufactured masks for the public that do not draw on the supply needed by health care workers may provide some benefit, although that is uncertain. It is important for homemade or other masks to be well made, fit well, and be properly cleaned or sanitized.
To be most effective, masks should be worn consistently and properly so as not to contaminate the hands or face of the user, and fabric masks should be changed when moist and washed after use.
Most importantly, mask use should not make people less likely to take more important steps to prevent COVID-19 infection like staying home and avoiding all non-essential activities and contact with others, frequent hand-washing, and not touching the face (eyes, nose and mouth).
What if I am caring for a loved one that is symptomatic?
If you are caring for a loved one with a respiratory infection, you and your loved one should both wear masks when you are in close contact. If only one mask is available, give it to the person who is ill to wear.
If no masks are available, help your loved one cover their cough when you are in the room. For instance, ask your loved one to cover their cough with a bandana, a sheet, or a blanket. These will not stop the spread of viral particles but may limit the distance of spread.
People who are interested in more information on alternative personal protective equipment (PPE) can look to the WA Department of Health’s Guidance for Caregivers. It is still unclear how effective these strategies are and whether there is any potential risk of using alternatives to traditional PPE.
