Emporia’s mask ordinance is underway Tuesday, and Lyon County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern used part of KVOE’s Newsmaker segment to thank the city fo Emporia for enacting the controversial move.
Millbern says masks are one of the few ways currently available to limit COVID-19 and its spread.
The ordinance requires people to wear face masks or face coverings in certain circumstances, including indoor and outdoor public places where social distancing can’t be maintained and any time residents are receiving healthcare services. This also requires businesses, organizations and non-profit agencies to require employees to wear face coverings in any spaces visited by the public, any space where food is prepared or packaged and any business space where social distancing can’t be maintained. Customers, visitors and community members also need to wear face coverings inside facilities operated by businesses or organizations.
The start of the ordinance comes as Emporia and Lyon County are still having community spread — and as more evidence points to significant long-term effects on those who contract the disease. Recent studies now show as much as 80 percent of COVID-19 patients will have chronic symptoms well after the infection goes away.
Millbern says it’s frustrating the virus has taken on such a range of impacts, based on the patient. She says this complicates the process for developing treatments and it’s a reason why Public Health has been so vocal about using masks and social distancing.
