Everything you need to know about face coverings for back-to-school

UPDATE: After further review and research, the District has decided to ban the use of gaiter-style face coverings and bandanas. 

Make sure your face covering:

• Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Completely covers the nose and mouth
• Is secured with ties or ear loops
• Includes multiple layers of fabric
• Allows for breathing without restriction
• Can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

No Face coverings with Exhalation Valves or Vents will be permitted. 

The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control. However, masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others.  This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others. Therefore, CDC does not recommend using masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html

Recent studies (https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/07/sciadv.abd3083) indicate that bandanas tied only to the face and nose, and the popular gator style covering, perform very poorly. As of 12 p.m. on August 27, 2020, the District has decided to ban the use of gaiters and bandanas in our schools. 

Disposable masks are acceptable. 

Take Off Your Mask Carefully https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wear-cloth-face-coverings.html

• Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
• Handle only by the ear loops or ties
• Fold outside corners together
• Place face covering in the washing machine (learn more about how to wash face coverings)
• Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing.