Health department addresses vented masks during COVID-19 update

The Hill County Health Board discussed during its meeting Friday recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding vented masks as well as providing updates on the department’s recent activities.

In the past two weeks, the CDC has put out guidance saying that masks with vents or valves are not effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 as they can allow far more exhaled droplets, through which the virus spreads, to escape than would a normal face mask.

Hill County Health Officer Jessica Sheehy recommended that people wear non-vented face masks that fit over the...