Face Coverings
Per Governor Laura Kelly's Executive Order (EO) No. 20-52, face coverings are required at all times for all staff, students, and visitors while on Haysville USD 261 campuses and in district buildings with the exceptions outlined in EO #20-52.This includes while in the classroom, waiting to enter campus, on school grounds, when leaving school and riding the bus.
According to the CDC, cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is asymptomatic.
Masks or other face coverings must cover the nose and mouth and be secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or it can be wrapped around the lower face. It can be made of a variety of synthetic and natural fabrics, including cotton, silk, or linen. Ideally, a mask or other face covering has two or more layers. It can be factory-made, sewn by hand, or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, bandanas, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
How to Wear Masks/Face Coverings
- Wash your hands before putting on your mask
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face while still making sure you are able to breath easily
How to Remove Masks/Face Coverings
- Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops handling only by the ties or loops
- Fold outside corners together
- Place mask/face covering in the washing machine
- Wash hands immediately after removing
Cleaning your Mask/Face Coverings
Washing Machine
- Masks/Face coverings should be washed after each use.
- They do not have to be washed seperately and can be included with your regular laundry.
- Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask.
- Be sure to completely dry the mask/face covering after washing either in the dryer on the highest heat setting or lay flat in direct sunlight (if possible) and allow to dry completely.
Hand Washing
- Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water or
- 4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water
- Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
- Soak the mask in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.
- Be sure to completely dry the mask/face covering after washing either in the dryer on the highest heat setting or lay flat in direct sunlight (if possible) and allow to dry completely.