Hilton Head residents should wear masks while shopping during coronavirus, town says
Hilton Head Island residents should see more people wearing masks in public around the island.
The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to recommend residents wear masks while shopping to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Although not a punishable offense, council members felt strongly about sending the message to residents that they should cover their mouth and nose to keep everyone on the island healthier.
“This is a recommendation that people ought to wear face masks,” said Town Manager Steve Riley. “We have no authority to do anything more than that.”
“The more we see other people doing it, the more we will be encouraged to do the same,” Ward 2 representative Bill Harkins said later.
The vote comes as S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has authorized the reopening of some retail stores and other services. Although most stores on the island are closed, and restaurants are still limited to takeout operations only, the council said the impending reopening of the state means residents should still take precautions when leaving home.
Marc Grant, who represents Ward 1, supported the measure but said he’s concerned about access to face masks.
“I support the mask’s message. I’m just worried in terms of how effective it will be if people don’t have access to these masks,” he said. “Will (this measure) take away from hospitals? How’s our supply?”
But the resolution, written by Ward 6 representative Glenn Stanford, does not specify what kind of face covering residents should use.
N95 respirators, which are tight to the face and have a vent for air filtration, should still be reserved for healthcare workers. For the general public, Stanford said a cloth face mask, paper surgical mask or even a handkerchief could be effective.
While Hilton Head is the first municipality to formally recommend face masks, it is not alone in addressing the issue of protective equipment in public.
Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have all enacted statewide mask requirements in response to the coronavirus, CNN reported.
How to make a face mask at home
If you can’t purchase a face mask, there are several ways to create your own.
Here are three methods from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Method One: Sewn Cloth Face Covering
What you’ll need:
- Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric
- Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)
- Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
1. Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the mask as if it was a single piece of fabric.
2. Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.
3. Run a 6-inch length of 1/8-inch wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tight.
Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the mask behind your head.
4. Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the mask on the elastic and adjust so the mask fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping.
Method Two: Quick Cut T-shirt Face Covering (no sew method)
What you’ll need:
- T-shirt
- Scissors
1. Cut the bottom third of the t-shirt off.
2. Cut a rectangle in the side of the section to make ties.
3. Tie behind head.
#3: Bandana Face Covering (no sew method)
What you’ll need:
- Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20”x20”)
- Rubber bands (or hair ties)
- Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)
1. Fold bandanna in half. Then fold again into thirds.
2. Place rubber bands or hair ties about six inches apart around the folded bandanna.
3. Fold sides into the middle and tuck.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 2:01 PM.
