Coronavirus Mask Rule In Hudson Valley: What You Need To Know

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Residents of the Hudson Valley heading out of their homes into a public place must wear a mask starting Friday under an order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Here's what you need to know:

Where must I wear a mask?

Any place where you cannot maintain social distancing, meaning when you can't be greater than 6 feet away from other people who do not live with you. If you're walking down an empty street, a mask isn't needed, the governor said. It's essential on public transit and applies to everybody over 2 years old.

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What type of mask do I need to wear?

Anything that covers your mouth and nose. It could be a mask, a cloth or a scarf.

Why do I need to wear a mask?

It's more to protect others than yourself, the governor said. You could be infected with the coronavirus but not be showing any symptoms, but that doesn't stop you from spreading it to others.

When does this rule go into effect?

At 8 p.m. Friday, April 17.

What happens if I don't wear it?

There may be a civil penalty if you don't wear it, but the governor was vague about what it will be. So far, policing of social distancing rules has involved police directing people to adhere and avoiding issuing them tickets. "I haven't given anybody a ticket for violating anything," Cuomo said.

There is some confusion about whether wearing a non-medical mask can actually protect the wearer.

“The fact is this. Wearing a face covering is actually for the protection of those around you,” Putnam County Health Commissioner, Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, said. “Safely covering your nose and mouth can prevent respiratory droplets from landing on other people or surfaces.”

Simply put, as the trending social media motto goes: “My face covering protects you. Your face covering protects me.”

If residents plan to wear a face covering to help slow the spread, the Putnam County Department of Health has some sensible advice. Cloth face coverings should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops and include multiple layers of fabric. It is important that the coverings allow for breathing without restriction. They should be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.

Find additional guidelines from the Putnam County Department of Health by going to their website.

FYI: the internet is full of videos and other instructions on how to make your own mask.

Written by Adam Nichols, with additional reporting by Michael Woyton/Patch.

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