Coronavirus: Clark County Health Commissioner backs DeWine, says masks have a ‘significant effect’

Kristen Collier and her daughter, Kara, 10 were wearing their masks as the went in Winans recently. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Kristen Collier and her daughter, Kara, 10 were wearing their masks as the went in Winans recently. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Clark County’s Health Commissioner is backing Gov. Mike DeWine’s comments on wearing a face mask in public in order to protect yourself from the coronavirus.

Clark County Combined Health District Commissioner Charles Patterson said according to research, masks have been shown to have a “significant effect,” on slowing the spread of the virus. However, Patterson said he understands why some residents are confused about the impact wearing a mask has.

“At the beginning of this we said don’t wear mask and now we are saying wear one and the public is saying ‘but you said not to,‘” Patterson said. “We know now that wearing a mask is the best way to protect yourself and others. If we had known this months ago, we could have had a months advantage. We could have been sending the correct message from the beginning that everyone should wear a mask that way we can protect each other.”

Patterson pointed to comments made earlier this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield about the effectiveness of wearing a mask.

“I think Dr. Redfield from the CDC hit it when he said if everyone would wear a mask for six weeks, we could make a serious dent in this thing,” Patterson said. “Look at what (DeWine) said last night. I think we are all pretty much in agreement here.”

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