Our Parish Nurse, Ann Yeo, fully agrees with the directive issued last week by the Thurston County Health Officer – Dr. Diana Yu – which requires most of us to wear face coverings (over mouth and nose) in public for the foreseeable future. Specifically, it’s when we might be less than 6 feet away from anyone who is not a member of our household. In an article in The Olympian on May 31, she commented and elaborated on that directive.

First of all, she exempted some of us from the directive:

• Any child 3 years old or younger;
• Any child 4-12 years old, unless supervised by an adult to prevent misuse of a face covering;
• Any individual with a disability that prevents comfortable wear or removal of a face covering;
• Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication;
• Any individual who has been advised by a medical or behavioral health professional that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to that individual;
• Any individual who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.

Secondly, she spoke about why she issued the directive.

• We are still in the midst of a pandemic, with the continuing transmission of the coronavirus and new cases of COVID-19 locally, including in long-term care facilities. Without great caution as we begin to emerge from our governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy plan, the number of infections may surge and potentially hinder our path forward in the phased Recovery plan.
• Although we all now know about the importance of (1) hand-washing and (2) practicing social distancing, we had not yet started (3) wearing face coverings en masse (despite recommendations from the CDC and Public Health). Dr. Yu wanted to make the point that the 3rd practice will more effectively help us to protect the health of our communities.

Finally, she asked us to “assume a position of compassion if we see someone without a mask,” because their reason may not be obvious.

Stay tuned for emerging guidance from OUUC as our minister, staff, and board of trustees plan for our gradual re-opening and re-connecting in person.

-Ann Yeo, RN, MSN, Certified Holistic Nurse