NAPLES — The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) continues to recommend and encourage all residents and visitors to wear a mask or cloth face covering when in public settings and when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when widely used in public settings.

COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets. A mask is a simple barrier that prevents those droplets from traveling into the air when a person coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. The use of masks is very important in settings where people are close to each other (within six feet). COVID-19 can be spread by those who do not have symptoms and, therefore, do not know they are infected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all people age 2 years and older wear a mask in public settings, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain. A mask should cover both your nose and your mouth and be secure under your chin and snug to the sides of the face.

Face shields are not recommended as a substitute for masks except for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. If a person coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice, droplets can still escape the shield as it is not tight to the face.

In addition to wearing a mask or cloth face covering, the following precautions are recommended to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Practice social distancing. Stay at least six feet away from others.
• Avoid contact with those who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Wash your hands often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

For more information regarding COVID-19, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/.

About the Florida
Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.