Face Covering Resources

Public health experts continue to learn about COVID-19, but based on current data the virus is believed to be spread between close contacts via respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. While staying home, social distancing, and strict hand hygiene are still preferred methods for preventing further spread of COVID-19, facemasks are one more tool that may be used by the general public and essential workers to protect each other from respiratory droplets produced when we cough, sneeze, or talk.  With this in mind, IDPH guidance indicates all Illinoisans should wear a mask or face covering when they must leave their home or report to work for essential operations and they either cannot or it is impractical to maintain 6 feet of physical distance between themselves and others. Examples include:

• Shopping at essential businesses, like grocery stores or pharmacies,
  
• Picking up food from the drive thru or curbside pickup,
  
• While visiting your health care provider,
  
• Traveling on public transportation,
  
• Interacting with customers, clients, or coworkers at essential businesses,
  
• Performing essential services for state and local government agencies, such as laboratory testing, where close interactions with other people are unavoidable, and 
  
• When feeling sick, coughing, or sneezing.
  

This list of community resources has been identified to help Illinoisans comply with this guidance and further protect our community from this virus.