Mayor Brainard Strongly Urges All to Wear Face Coverings in Public

April 13, 2020

CARMEL, IN – Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, Mayor Jim Brainard is
strongly urging all who are in public, to wear face coverings. He is also
urging employers to request all frontline employees wear face masks and be
tested for the COVID-19 virus. Testing is a very important part of
preventing the spread of the virus. Identifying those asymptomatic carriers
of COVID-19 will allow them to self-quarantine for the recommended 14-day
period, further reducing the spread of the virus.

It has been recommended by physicians that wearing face coverings can help
slow the spread of COVID-19. While homemade masks are not rated to stop all
airborne particles, experts suggest that the reduction of the spread of
droplets that occurs when a face covering is worn, does reduce the distance
these droplets can travel, therefore reducing the likelihood of one coming
into contact with the virus.

Mayor Brainard requests those out shopping for necessary items at essential
business such as groceries, hardware stores, pharmacies, restaurants and
others interacting with the public wear face coverings. In addition,
businesses should also request that food and product delivery persons,
private shelf-stockers and mail/package carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS, Amazon
etc.) wear masks while in those essential businesses.

Physical distancing and hand washing are still recommended precautions even
when a face covering is worn. Staying at home, washing your hands for at
least 20 seconds, physical distancing of six-feet or more, wearing gloves
and covering one’s face are all ways to help slow the spread of this deadly
virus traveling the globe.

“I am strongly urging the public to wear face masks or face coverings of
some type when they are out away from their homes. State law does not give
mayors the authority to order all to wear face coverings during this crisis.
It is so important that we take every precaution to stop the spread of
COVID-19, especially as we pass into what many are predicting is the worst
time for Indiana, said Mayor Brainard.

“I strongly urge everyone who is a frontline worker to consider their safety
and the safety of others by adding a face covering to the list of things
they are doing to better protect our community. We need to remember how
easily this virus can spread and take seriously the warnings from the
medical community about flattening the curve so that our healthcare workers
are not overwhelmed and so that our scientific community can create ways for
us to battle COVID-19, Mayor Brainard continued.

“I thank you all for your diligence in this battle. We are going to come out
of this crisis a stronger and more resilient community. I am touched by the
ways people are helping each other and lifting our spirits during this time
of physical distancing. Many are finding that keeping their distance
physically does NOT mean we can’t find unique and entertaining ways to
connect socially and I applaud everyone for that.”