Face Coverings: A Message from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
We can only contain the virus and keep Michigan open if everyone stays careful and masks up every time they leave home, whether they feel sick or not. Michiganders are required to wear a face covering every time they leave their home or place of residence including:
1. In any indoor public space.
2. In outdoor spaces where 6 feet of distancing is not possible.
3. When waiting for or riding public transportation, while in a taxi or ridesharing vehicle or other hired transportation.
A face covering includes any cloth that fully covers the face and mouth.
Can a business refuse service to visitors or customers who are not wearing a face covering?
Yes. Businesses open to the public are required to refuse entry or service to those who decline towear a face covering under Executive Order 2020-153.
Are there any exceptions to who must wear a face covering?
Yes. The requirement to wear a face covering does not apply to people who:
• Are younger than five years old, though children two years old and older are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering; or
• Cannot medically tolerate a face covering such as people who have trouble breathing, are unconscious, incapacitated or unable to remove the covering without assistance.
A face covering is not required while:
• Eating or drinking while seated at a restaurant or other food service establishment;
• Exercising (indoors or outdoors) if the face covering would interfere in the activity;
• Speaking with someone who is hearing impaired or otherwise disabled and the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication;
• Officiating a religious service; or
• Giving a speech for broadcast or an audience.
Face coverings may be temporarily removed:
• When entering a business or receiving a service and identification is necessary; or
• While receiving a service where temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
How do I wear a cloth face covering?
Your cloth face covering must cover your mouth and nose and secure under your chin . A face covering that does not fit properly may not protect you and those around you.
How do I clean my cloth face covering?
It is best to wash your face covering after every use. It is especially important if the face covering became visibly dirty or wet. It may be helpful to have multiple face coverings so you have one to wear while another is being washed. Never wash disposable face masks.
If you're using a washing machine:
You can include your face covering with your regular laundry. Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the face covering.
If you're washing by hand:
1. Prepare a solution by mixing four teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water. Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection (some bleach products are not), and is within the expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
2. Soak the face covering in the bleach solution for five minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.
Drying
Always fully dry your face covering before wearing again. You can lay it out to air dry, or use a dryer on the highest heat setting.
Do I need to wear a face covering when I am exercising?
It is a good idea to wear a face covering while exercising around others (indoors or outdoors) if it does not interfere in the exercise. Consider exercises that allow you to keep physical distance from others. Walking, running, and biking outside are examples of activities that do not require shared equipment or close contact with others.
I was confirmed to have COVID-19 and am better now. Do I still need to wear a face covering?
Yes – recovering from COVID-19 does not mean you no longer need to wear a face covering. We don’t yet know how long the virus remains in a person’s body, or whether it is possible to get sick again or spread the virus to others. Using face masks in public and practicing social distancing is still important for people who were sick and recovered.
Are children in childcare centers required to wear face coverings?
Yes. All children, staff and visitors over the age of four are required to wear a face covering at childcare centers. When using childcare center provided transportation, all children, staff and visitors over the age of two are required to wear a face covering. See Executive Order 2020-164.
Are there any precautions I should take with my face covering?
• When you put your face covering on and off, you will likely touch your face. Before putting on or taking off your face covering, always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, or if soap and water are not available, use a 60% alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face covering when wearing it or after taking it off. Take it off by the ear loops or ties. Clean your hands after every time you touch your face covering.
• Do not put a used face covering in places where others can touch them or where germs trapped in your face covering can touch other surfaces, such as counter tops or tables.
• Do not throw your face covering loose in a bag or backpack. Consider keeping a paper bag with you to store your face covering if you will be taking if off outside your house.
Instructions for young people about how to wear and care for their cloth face covering.
Can I make my own face covering?
Yes! It is encouraged to be creative with your face covering. A face covering can be a scarf, bandana or other any cloth that fully covers your nose and mouth. Check out sew and no-sew face covering instructions or watch this video from the U.S. Surgeon General to see ideas about creating a face covering with household items. If you're making your own face covering, multiple layers of tightly woven fabric, like quilting fabric or cotton sheets are best, but not required. Make your own face covering instructions in American Sign Language.
Are medical grade masks such as N95 or surgical masks better than homemade masks?
Medical grade masks need to be saved for use by health care providers only. Homemade cloth face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are good for the general public.
Can I wear a face shield instead of a mask?
Face shields, including plastic shields and hybrid products that have fabric around the edges of the shield, are not a replacement for cloth face coverings. For people who are medically unable to tolerate a face covering, a face shield may be worn alone instead.
Can I wear a face covering with an exhalation valve or vent?
It is not recommended to wear masks with exhalation valves or vents because respiratory droplets may be expelled through the outlet. This type face covering does not prevent the wearer from transmitting the virus to others.
Why is this being required now?
The use of face coverings is one more simple tool that may help reduce the spread of the virus – especially from people who are infected and don’t know it yet. Evidence, such as research showing that people without symptoms may be spreading the virus, that droplets produced with breathing, speaking, or singing spread COVID-19 from person to person and increasing case counts informed the decision to require face coverings.
Original article: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/Face_Coverings_Guidance_for_non-healthcare_workers_Final_685949_7.pdf