The Emergency Operations Center is coordinating with local mask makers to consolidate masks that are being produced and distribute the masks to those in need.
• Drop off handmade masks at Petersburg Rexall Drugs, visit www.petersburgrexalldrug.com or call 772-3265 for open hours.
• To request masks or learn how to make masks contact: eoc@petersburgak.gov or 907-772-3349 ex. 3
From the CDC
How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering
Cloth face coverings should—
fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
be secured with ties or ear loops
include multiple layers of fabric
allow for breathing without restriction
be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
Should cloth face coverings be washed or otherwise cleaned regularly? How regularly?
Yes. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering?
A washing machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering.
How does one safely remove a used cloth face covering?
Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.
From WAVE
If you are unable to access a washing machine regularly, pouring boiling water over the mask in a bowl is also an option. Let it sit in the hot water, scrub with soap, rinse, and then dry.
Removing the mask with clean hands is also important so that you do not touch your face with possibly infected hands.
You should consider the outside part of the mask the dangerous part to yourself (infected air would hit it leaving the virus on the outside) and the inside of the mask is the part that is dangerous to others (if you have the virus, even if you don't know it yet, the virus would cover the inside of the mask).
Touching your phone to your mask and then later to your hands or naked face can spread the virus because it goes from the outside of your mask to the phone and then to anything that it touches afterwards.
If your mask is uncomfortable you can wear a headband down low by your ears so that the strings chaff it and not the soft skin behind your ears. If you have long hair you can put it in low pig tails or buns and put the mask loops over them. You can also fashion an attachment to hold the loops together behind your head so that the pressure is placed on that instead of the backs of your ears.
For information on how to make your own mask you find it on this page from the CDC
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
