Grant, Adams health officer issues face mask directive

EPHRATA/RITZVILLE — Residents of both Grant and Adams counties are being instructed to wear face masks, according to a directive issued by Dr. Alexander Brzezny, health officer for both counties. Brzezny issued the directive for Adams County on Tuesday, May 26, and Grant County on Wednesday, May 27.

In a statement released by the Adams County Health Department, the department warned that if the number of positive cases increases due to close contact with others, it could hinder the county’s ability to move forward with the re-opening process.

When Adams County received notification on Friday, May 22, that it was allowed to move to Phase 2, state Secretary of Health John Wiesman warned that he and the governor have the ability to revoke the Phase 2 variance and reimpose restrictions.

In a press release, Grant County Health Department said that wearing face masks is an easy way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“A sudden surge of cases of COVID-19 in Grant County could put the county residents back in Phase 1,” Brzezny said. “I am urging and asking all Grant County residents and guests to assist our public health efforts to keep the county in Phase 2 and plan for Phase 3.”

Face masks are not to be used as a replacement for physical distancing, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face and regular cleaning of frequently touched spaces. According to Brzezny, there are models that predict that if 80 percent of residents were to wear masks that blocked 60 percent of the transmission of the virus, it could stop the spread of COVID-19. Grant County Health District stated that approximately 50 percent of individuals with COVID-19 have few to no symptoms, causing them to spread the virus without knowing it.

“So, it is important for everyone without a medical reason not to wear a face covering to wear one,” Brzezny said. “It’s being a good citizen. Think of your neighbors or the strangers standing in line or walking past you on the sidewalk. You might not be concerned about your health, but they might be. The directive is here to keep everyone safe, to show each others respect and to protect lives.”

The Grant County Health District staff acknowledged that wearing a mask isn’t fun and can be awkward. However, it was noted that wearing masks can help promote the continued reopening of the county.

The directive applies to any indoor or confined public setting where a person will be within six feet of another individual who does not share the same household. It includes the following sectors:

• Groceries, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products including grocery stores, corner stores and convenience stores, liquor stores that sell food, farmers markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, “big box” stores that sell groceries and essentials, and similar food retail establishments.

• Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, garden stores and indoor sales for nurseries that support food cultivation and production, office supply stores that support working-from-home, and home appliance retailers.

• Restaurants, food carry-out, quick-serve food operations, including food preparation, carry-out, and food delivery employees.

• Cannabis retail and dietary supplement retail stores; liquor, tobacco, and vapor retail stores.

• Hair and nail salons and barbers.

• Real estate locations (including in-office, vehicle, house demonstrations, if necessary).

• Veterinary care and pet grooming services.

• In-home domestic services (nannies, housecleaning, et cetera).

• Buses, light rail, and other forms of public transportation.

• Agricultural work and housing.

• Food and produce processing (frozen processing, produce sorting and packing, et cetera).

• Any indoor manufacturing and indoor construction and remodeling.

The following individuals may be excluded from the directive:

• Any child aged 2 years or younger.

• Any child aged 12 years or younger unless parents and caregivers supervise the use of face coverings by children to avoid misuse.

• Any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a face covering.

• Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication, or an individual who is communicating with a person who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication.

• Any individual who has been advised by a medical professional that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to that individual for health-related reasons.

• Any individual who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.

According to the directive, at this time anyone violating the directive will not be detained, cited, arrested or prosecuted. Violators are to be educated, encouraged and persuaded to wear a mask.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at [email protected].