COVID-19 can easily spread between people who are in close contact with one another. Wearing a mask is an important tool in our fight against COVID-19. A high-quality mask along with vaccination, testing, and physical distancing helps protect you and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19.
Presently, there is no local masking mandate in Sonoma County, however California masking guidelines remain in effect.
Know Your COVID-19 Community Level
COVID-19 Community Levels are a tool that can help you decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Each level has masking recommendations for those at lower risk for severe illness and those at higher risk for severe illness. To see who is considered to be at higher risk, see CDC’s People with Certain Medical Conditions.
Remember, people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level.
Masking Best Practices
- Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat).
- Wear a mask if you have tested positive for COVID-19.
- Wear a mask if you had a close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
An effective mask has both good fit and good filtration
Good fit and good filtration improve protection of others if you are infected AND protection for you if you are exposed to an infected person. An N95 is best, a KN95 or KF94 is better, a surgical mask is good, while a cloth mask is considered fair:
Wear Your Mask Correctly
- Cover your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
- Make sure it fits snugly on the sides of your face and the bridge of your nose.
Masks in the Workplace
For masking in the workplace, employers and employees can review Cal/Osha’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations as well as Cal Osha’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations FAQs.
Remember, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against any worker for using face coverings.