City Spokesperson Clarifies New Mask Protection Order

In response to questions regarding the city’s new order requiring face coverings for essential workers, along with customers patronizing essential businesses, city officials released a statement to Pasadena Now clarifying the order.

“If you’re walking alone or in a family setting or jogging by yourself you do not need to wear one,” said city spokesperson Lisa Derderian. “We’ve seen several posts about people walking the dog without one and that’s okay if you’re practicing social distancing. We need to caution people not to wear masks if exercising heavily and exerting your breathing even more than usual because that can lead to serious or fatal consequences too.”

Essential businesses include grocery stores, banks, pharmacies and restaurants, which now can only provide take-out and delivery service, shelters, gas stations, auto repair shops, hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, handymen, Laundromats and postal workers among other businesses.

A complete list of essential businesses can be found in the city’s March 19 order.

The order follows similar orders issues by the CDC and Los Angeles County health officials.

Medical masks and N-95 respirators are reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders, as recommended by current guidance by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention,

“Homemade cloth masks, or even a tucked-in bandanna, will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the nation’s second-largest city and remind people to practice safe social distancing,”Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said when Los Angeles made its order two weeks ago.

For the most part, orders in Pasadena, LA County, Los Angeles and Long Beach have matched.

According to guidance from the city, cloth face coverings should be washed, ideally after each use or at least daily, in hot water and dried on a hot cycle.

Residents are advised to wash their hands immediately and avoid touching their face if they must re-wear a cloth face covering before washing.

Face coverings should be discarded if they no longer cover the nose and mouth, have stretched out or damaged ties or straps, cannot stay on the face, have holes or tears in the fabric.

The call for more protective facial gear comes as health officials now admit the virus can be spread through breathing and talking.

Health officials are battling to control the spread of the virus which has killed seven people in the city’s long term care facilities.

As of Friday, local health officials reported that 117 Pasadena residents have tested positive for the Coronavirus.

The requirement on masks does not replace the need to practice earlier guidelines, including social distancing according to the city’s Public Health Director Ying, Ying Goh.

“This order by no means replaces the need for physical distancing and everyday hygiene precautions, such as frequent hand washing,” said Dr. Goh on Saturday. “When you do need to venture out for groceries or other essentials, wearing a face covering can help reduce community spread of COVID-19, especially by those who are asymptomatic and don’t even know they have the virus.”