(WWJ) Oakland County is taking additional measures to protect its employees and residents.
Essential employees -- which includes restaurant workers at takeout counters, grocery and hardware store employees, those handling online car sales, and more -- now have to wear a mask if they have face-to-face contacts with customers.
The county signed the executive order yesterday. See it HERE.
In terms of what constitutes a mask, the order says it's any "facial cover includes any covering which snugly covers the face and mouth, whether store bought or homemade, and which is secured with ties or ear loops." Examples of compliant homemade masks may be found HERE.
The order adds, "People should not utilize N95 rated masks or surgical masks, as those are critical supplies for healthcare workers, police, fire, emergency management, or other persons engaged in life/saving activities."
This follows a series of confusing messaging at the national level from experts. First, as supplies of protective gear dwindled for healthcare workers, officials said masks were ineffective in preventing the spread of coronavirus. As evidence mounted about their effectiveness in places like South Korea, some officials recommended use of masks, but nationally they were still discouraged. Eventually after an outcry from public health officials, the CDC recommended face coverings.
Oakland County businesses have until late April to implement this policy, but officials are encouraging them to make a change as soon as possible.
