Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
Ochsner Health is helping its patients slow the spread of COVID-19 by launching “Masks On,” a campaign to educate the public about the importance of wearing a face mask in public. Ochsner recently mailed 100,000 complimentary cloth masks to both pediatric and adult patients.
Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Ochsner advises all individuals ages two and older wear a face masks when in public spaces. Governor John Bel Edwards announced a statewide mask mandate for Louisiana residents on July 11, in response to growing COVID-19 cases across the state.
“We have seen firsthand how face masks and other social distancing measures play a vital role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Wearing a mask in public is a simple, but powerful way to protect both yourself and those around you,” said Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Medical Officer, Ochsner Health.
COVID-19 can spread between people who are close to each other when speaking, coughing or sneezing, making wearing a cloth face mask in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain critically important. Recent studies show many people with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic and even those who eventually develop symptoms can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.
Cloth masks can be made at home with household items. The CDC has directions on how to make a mask that doesn't require sewing, using a bandanna or T-shirt. It also has directions on making a simple mask that can be sewed at home. Another option is to support small businesses, local crafters, retailers or online stores selling masks in a wide assortment of prints and patterns.
All cloth face coverings should:
When removing a face covering, avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Remember to always wash hands after removing a face covering. It’s also important to wash and dry face masks regularly.
For the latest updates from Ochsner Health, visit Ochsner.org/coronavirus. To purchase an Ochsner face mask, visit Ochsnerstore.org.
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About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 876,000 people from across the globe in 2019, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named the top hospital in Louisiana and a top children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner's team of more than 26,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.