CASPER, Wyo. – At least 18 national companies with a presence in Casper are requiring customers who visit their stores to wear face covers starting Monday, July 27. At least two others have announced that facial covers will be required on August 1.
Companies where facial coatings are already effective as of Monday include:
- Albertsons / Safeway
- AT&T
- Bed bath and beyond
- Best Buy
- Chipotle
- CVS
- House deposit
- JC Penney
- Kohls
- Kroger (Smith’s, King Soopers, etc.)
- Menards
- PetSmart
- Sam’s club
- Staples
- Starbucks
- Verizon
- Walgreens
- Walmart
Companies that have announced that facial coatings will be required include:
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- McDonald’s from August 1
- objective from August 1
The Wyoming Department of Health recommends that people “wear cloth face covers in public places where physical distance of at least 6 feet is not practical.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides information on the use of facial coatings.
“Cloth face liners can help prevent people who have COVID-19 from passing the virus on to others,” says the CDC. “Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect those around you, including those most at risk for serious COVID-19 disease and workers who frequently come into close contact with others (for example, in stores and restaurants)”.
“Cloth face covers are very likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when cloth face covers are used in conjunction with other preventive measures, such as social distancing, frequent hand washing, and cleaning and disinfection of surfaces that are frequently touched. ”
The CDC says cloth face liners are recommended for the general public rather than surgical masks and respirators, as “those are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.”
“Cloth facial coatings are not personal protective equipment (PPE),” says the CDC. “They are not appropriate substitutes for PPE like respirators (such as N95 respirators) or medical masks (such as surgical masks) in workplaces where respirators or masks are recommended or required to protect the wearer.”
The CDC says the following groups of people should NOT wear fabric face covers:
- Children under 2 years old.
- Anyone who has trouble breathing.
- Anyone who is unconscious, disabled, or otherwise unable to remove the fabric cover without assistance
The latest statistics from the Wyoming Department of Health:
What to do if you feel sick: In the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department says that people who feel ill or have symptoms should contact their GP.
If you do not have a primary care provider and you live in Natrona County, contact the COVID-19 hotline, operated by the Casper-Natrona County Health Department. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm 577-9892. Hotline services are intended for residents of Natrona County and may not be able to provide specific information to callers from outside the county.
Officials request that the emergency room not be informed. People who have trouble breathing should call 9-11.
For general inquiries and non-symptom related questions about COVID-19, contact the Casper-Natrona County Health Department by email: [email protected]
- Practice social distancing putting up distance between you and other people. This is especially important for people who are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home if you are sick
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, handles, desks, telephones, keyboards, toilets, taps, and sinks.
A list of the area closings attributed to COVID-19 are available here.
