Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council would like to encourage you to wear masks when you are in contact with others. We are seeing an increase in cases again. It is now clear, more than ever, that face masks are the best way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wearing face coverings in public shows respect for those around you.
According to Dr. Michael Roberts of EAMC, the reason this is important is that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread even before symptoms appear, by such things as coughing, sneezing, or even speaking at close range. Cloth face coverings have been recommended due to their low cost and ready availability. By using cloth face coverings, it preserves surgical masks and N-95 masks for healthcare workers who may be involved in direct care of patients with COVID-19.
This illustration from EAMC shows the importance of using face coverings in public. If we all wear our face coverings to protect one another, then can dramatically decrease the risk of transmission of the virus. Dr. Roberts also states that face coverings, in conjunction with social distancing and frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer, will be important in limiting the spread of COVID-19 as we return to our usual activities.
City officials and employees are going to do their part to wear face coverings. Please help us by doing yours.