Why did the Carmel City Council urge everyone to wear face masks during the COVID-19 quarantine?

We are concerned about the safety, health and well-being of everyone in Carmel and felt it was the right thing to be part of the solution to this pandemic. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores.

For this reason, the Council wanted to encourage residents to take these measures seriously through the Wearing Is Caring public awareness initiative, in order to not only protect yourself, but to protect those around you. Many people who are carriers of the virus will not necessarily show symptoms. It is therefore in the interest of those around you to maintain a face covering while in public.

“It is therefore in the interest of those around you to maintain a face covering while in public.”

Our public safety officials agree with this plan, while also stressing that residents should only use cloth face coverings instead of the N95 respirators and surgical masks that are critical supplies and should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders. DIY cloth face coverings can be made from low-cost materials such as t-shirts, bandanas, rubber bands and hair ties.