Should a mask still be worn in the Yakima Valley?

Here is the latest information on the Yakima Valley's face covering policies and supply.

Is it still mandatory to wear a mask?

Yes. Masks are still required in indoor public spaces in Washington State.

The state Department of Health (DOH) requires the use of face coverings in indoor public settings and at large outdoor events with 500 or more attendees. The order covers grocery stores, event venues, restaurants, theaters, malls and places of worship. Masks are also required within basic education schools.

Children under the age of five are not required to wear a mask, but children ages two to four can wear a mask under close supervision, according to the DOH. Children under two years of age should not wear a mask due to the risk of suffocation.

Rules about wearing face coverings may vary in the workplace, depending on a worker's vaccination status or their access to the public, according to the DOH.

The use of masks is also mandatory for travelers on public transportation in the United States, including planes, ships, trains, buses and carpools in Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What type of mask is best to use?

The best mask is the one that fits well, according to Lilian Bravo, director of Public Health Partnerships for the Yakima Health District.

“The least that protects the least is going to be a cloth mask, then it would be the surgical mask, and the best protection is the KN-95 and the N-95.”

CDC guidance says that people should choose masks that have two or more layers of breathable fabric; that fully cover the nose, mouth and chin, and fit snugly against the side of the face without any gaps. Children should wear masks made for children for the best fit, according to the CDC.

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For people who can't access higher-quality masks, wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask is a good alternative, Bravo said. The double mask can create a tighter face covering that allows fewer air particles to escape, she said.

“Really, we just want people to wear a mask and have some kind of barrier and provide some level of protection, rather than none at all,” Bravo said.

What types of masks are available in Yakima?

Surgical masks are readily available throughout the Yakima Valley, Bravo said, while KN-95s and N-95s can be more difficult to find.

Some organizations and businesses continue to provide masks to visitors at the door.

“Not every place does that, but there are a lot of places that continue to provide that to members of the community,” Bravo said.

Surgical masks are also available for purchase at clinics, pharmacies and other retailers in person or online, the health district's Bravo said. KN-95s and N-95s may be available for purchase at retailers or online as well, Bravo said, but surgical masks are more widely available.

The state DOH is distributing 10 million masks in Washington communities, Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah said at a briefing.

Health district spokeswoman Stephanie Badillo-Sanchez said the health district did not request N-95s or KN-95s for the community, but said the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Services requested more surgical masks that will be distributed through community associations.

Have policies changed to recommend higher quality masks?

Some organizations have stepped up their mask requirements, but the general guidance remains the same: wear a mask that fits well and offers the highest level of protection.