Mon County Board of Health leader addresses masks, glove use

MORGANTOWN,W.Va. – Mon County Health officials recently issued a recommendation for residents to wear masks or face coverings if they venture out during the COVID-19 stay home order.

President of the Mon County Board of Health, Sam Chico says the COVID-19 virus is extremely contagious and warrants extra protection.

“We had what could have potentially been a horrific outbreak in a nursing home that was immediately addressed,”Chico said on Talkline,”We were able to stave off a potential disaster if you remember what happened in Washington state.”

He says the virus can be spread by breathing, talking, singing, or yelling when tiny virus particles become airborne.

“It is airborne, and it is contagious and there’s no scientific data to tell us how long it stays suspended in the air,”Chico saud.

The masks are an important first line of defense and protects those around you as well.

“Self-protection and protecting everybody around you, stopping the spread,”Chico said,”It is so literally viral, when things go viral today they have a meaning, well this virus is going viral-it is so easily transmitted.”

While the mask and gloves can protect, he says they must be used properly.

“The mask and gloves are a two-way street,”Chico said,”You should understand that if you touch a door handle with a glove you should consider it contaminated, you either need to decontaminate it or get rid of it.”

Masks and gloves are relatively new for most people, so he says understanding how they work is key.

“Understand the use of these devices,”Chico said,”They absolutely are a prophylactic, but they also can recontaminate you if you’re not wise in their use.”