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Coronavirus In Ohio: Ohioans Advised To Wear Homemade Masks In Public

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton speaks at a daily coronavirus press conference.
Office of Gov. Mike DeWine
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton speaks at a daily coronavirus press conference.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio's top health leader say Ohioans should wear homemade and non-medical grade masks when they go out in public. However wearing a mask doesn’t mean you can’t get coronavirus.

Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton says masks can be made simply using any fabric, but they have limitations.

“It isn’t going to make you bulletproof. A virus can get through any homemade mask," Acton says.

Acton says masks need to be worn while still practicing social distancing, not instead of it. She cautions against using the N-95 medical-grade masks that are already in short supply. She says those masks should be donated to local emergency management agencies, who will give them to medical professionals.

Gov. Mike DeWine said he plans to wear a mask made by Ohio's First Lady, Fran DeWine. That's in contrast to President Trump, who says he won't wear a mask.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.
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