On Monday, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello encouraged all Monroe County residents to follow new CDC guidelines for wearing cloth face coverings over their mouth and nose any time they are out in public.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently changed its guidance about the use of face masks, having initially said they weren't necessary.

The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

The use of cloth face coverings is intended to slow the spread of the virus from people who may be infected but aren't showing any symptoms.

Bello said that the use of masks should not cause people to let down their guard when it comes to social distancing or staying at home.

"I understand that this is anxiety-producing and people are getting tired of staying at home, but now is not the time to loosen up," Bello said. "This is not easy to do, but staying home will keep us safe, keep our friends and family safe, and save lives."

During a video conference with reporters, Bello demonstrated a method for creating a face-covering using a cloth napkin and a pair of rubber bands.

"If you don't know how to sew, as I don't, there are plenty of ways to make them at home," Bello said.

Bello also announced a partnership with the United Way to help bring together volunteers who can donate homemade masks and local non-profit agencies who will distribute them free of charge.

Sewing circles

Jamie Saunders, President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Rochester, said volunteers can dropoff homemade masks at any local Goodwill location.

"There are already sewing groups that are working to make these masks," Saunders said. "We need at least 50,000 masks as soon as possible to support our local agencies and their clients."

Saunders said more details on the mask maker program, including patterns and instructions for making a mask are available at their website.

The cloth face coverings recommended by the CDC are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

Bello asked residents to make their own masks if possible rather than purchasing them from medical supply stores, so that those stocks could be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

The county executive stressed the importance of social distancing but said he was still concerned about gathering in parks or people shopping in large groups.

"If it's possible, just send one person from your household when you go grocery shopping and leave the kids at home," Bello said.

He also said that deputies patrolling County parks were attempting to educate residents about social distancing guidelines and asking the, to disperse. Bello cautioned that if compliance continued to be a problem he would consider closing the parks altogether.

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Sean Lahman is a watchdog reporter for the Democrat & Chronicle, part of the USA Today Network. Contact him at slahman@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @seanlahman.

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