How we can protect the whole community as the mask directive ends

June 30, 2021.Reading time 11 minutes.

A woman working at a cash register is wearing a mask. She places clothing in a bag as a female customer stands waiting.

The mask directive has been lifted now that over 70% of King County residents are fully vaccinated. But not everyone has been able to get vaccinated yet, so we need to be thoughtful towards those who still depend on others to help protect them.

Navigating two truths for “re-opening” – we’ve made tremendous progress and we also still have COVID-19 spreading

June 25, 2021.Reading time 9 minutes.

Black woman wearing a mask, putting up a sign in a shop window that reads "We are reopening"

Ending COVID-19 restrictions as more people are vaccinated will require new ways of thinking about risk and uncertainty. You can take protective steps — vaccinated or un-vaccinated.

VIDEO:King county health officer’s press briefing discussing directive to continue using face masks- May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021.Reading time 1 minute.

On May 20th, in his weekly press briefing, Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin discussed the Directive he issued today strongly urging continued use of face masks in indoor public spaces.

What you need to know about King County’s mask Directive for indoor spaces

May 20, 2021.Reading time 14 minutes.

We asked our Health Officer to weigh in on some key questions on the Directive urging all residents, fully vaccinated or not, to continue wearing face masks indoors.

Containing COVID-19 at Home

February 11, 2021.Reading time 9 minutes.

Over the past year, we have learned that COVID-19 spreads easily within households, possibly making our homes one of the riskiest places. You can even spread the virus without having any symptoms. Now that more contagious variants have been detected in the United States, including one in Washington state, this may be even more true.

It’s a good time to improve our masks and how we wear them, as more contagious COVID-19 variants emerge

February 9, 2021.Reading time 12 minutes.

There’s more evidence that wearing a mask protects everyone – the person wearing the mask (personal protection) and others around them (source control). Although masks alone are not 100% effective, they are a powerful tool. The key is to use a mask that’s well made and fits snugly against your face.