Our Parish Nurse, Ann Yeo, knows that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended last week that Americans add another layer of protection from the Corona virus and the disease it causes (COVID-19). In addition to social distancing outside our homes and frequent hand-washing (or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer), we are now advised to wear cloth face masks when we venture out on essential errands where we may not be able to stay 6 feet apart from others. Those places where adequate distance from others may be difficult to maintain include grocery stores, pharmacies, and health-care facilities.

Although homemade cloth masks are not considered adequate for health-care providers who are providing hands-on care for infected people, they may reduce the spread of virus-containing respiratory droplets from people who are infected but do not know it. Very important: The mask must cover both mouth AND nose of the wearer.

Our member, Frank Turner – retired physician and specialist in pulmonary/respiratory diseases – strongly recommends that we use masks when we go wherever we may not be able to maintain social distancing.

There are various websites that offer instructions for making and caring for cloth face masks. To sew your own mask, check out this site.  Or, to improvise a really easy, no-sew mask, watch the video instructions here.  

May you remain well during this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support from your faith community.

-Ann Yeo, RN, MSN, Certified Holistic Nurse