Wyandotte County issues order requiring people to wear face masks

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —

Wyandotte County health officials issued a new order Saturday that will require residents to wear face masks in public spaces in order to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19.

The mandate starts Tuesday at 5 p.m.

“We’re seeing dramatically increased cases. We’re seeing dramatically increased numbers of individuals seeking testing. The positivity rate of the testing is going up on the Kansas side of the state line in the last two weeks, which is extremely concerning to us,” said county health officer Dr. Allen Greiner at a Friday news conference. “So we think mask ordinances and cooperation by our citizens can make a big difference in curbing this coronavirus and hopefully preventing us from having to step back further.”

The health order requires the following:

• Individuals are required to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth when in a public, indoor space (including a workplace, business, or place of worship).
• Masks should be carefully positioned over the mouth and nose when it is put on, in a manner to avoid touching or readjusting the mask until it is removed.
• Masks are not required inside a solitary, enclosed workspace such as within an individual’s solitary office.
• Individuals are required to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth when in a public, outdoor space (with the exception of socially-distanced outdoor exercise).
• This includes all outdoor public gatherings such as bus stops, farmers markets, places of worship and restaurant bar or patio seating areas.
• Masks are not required when eating or drinking, but individuals should remain socially distanced and are required to wear a face mask before and following eating.
• Washing your hands is encouraged before taking masks off and prior to putting them back on.
• Individuals with medical conditions must wear a full face shield covering the mouth, nose and eyes as an alternative to a face mask (face shields have a piece of hard, clear plastic that sits in front of the face; these are often worn by healthcare workers in addition to other protective equipment)

The following individuals are exempt from the requirement to wear a face covering:

• Those who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Children younger than 5 years old; and children who are younger than 2 years old should never wear face coverings due to the risk of suffocation. Children who are 2, 3, or 4 years old, with the assistance and close supervision of an adult, are strongly recommended to wear a face covering at all times in settings, like grocery stores or pharmacies, where it is likely that a distance of at least six feet cannot be maintained from non-household members and vulnerable people must go.
• Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes, but is not limited to, persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.

Public health officials stressed wearing face masks as the best defense, because people without symptoms could unknowingly transmit COVID-19.

The coverings are primarily to prevent people who have the virus from infecting others.