With an uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout the country, the issue of wearing masks has been at the forefront of the national discussion pertaining to fighting the virus. Some states have mask mandates while others have allowed counties to make their own choices regarding mask enforcement.

Kristofer Wilster, director of environmental health for the Trumbull County Combined Health District, said masks are important to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. He suggested everyone follow the Ohio Department of Health’s orders to the best of their ability.

Last week, national chains like Walmart, Kroger and Target announced they were going to institute mandatory mask policiesfor all their outlets nationwide.

“Currently, about 65 percent of our more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings,” Dacona Smith, chief operating officer for Walmart, said in a press release last week. “To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols.”

So, how have other local businesses adjusted to mask mandates? Employees, patrons and health officials share their thoughts.

Susie Cramer, director of infection prevention and patient safety at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, said as things continue to open, donning a face covering will be essential to combat the virus.

“Wearing a face mask will help prevent the spread of infection and prevent a person from contacting germs that are spread in the air,” Cramer said. “When the county is in a level 3, this denotes that the county is in a very high level of exposure and spread of the virus. Counties that are under a red alert level 3 will be required to begin wearing masks in public areas, which increases protection for all residents during this ‘red’ level time period.”

She said face masks are part of an infection control strategy that acts as a barrier and eliminates cross-contamination.

“When someone coughs, talks or sneezes, they could release germs into the air that may infect others nearby,” Cramer said. “Masks are proven to prevent people from unknowingly passing the virus onto someone else, which is proven to prevent exposure and illness.”

Meanwhile, some working in retail were skeptical about wearing a mask while on the job.

“When the mandate is not a thing, we are kind of leaving it up to personal preference for our customers,” Rena Arter, a sales associate for Arter Home Furnishings, in Norwalk said. “For me, it’s strictly on state guidelines. If I didn’t have to wear one, I probably wouldn’t.”

Melanie Myers, public information officer for the Huron County Public Health, said COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, talks or raises their voice.

“A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others,” Myers said. “Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.”

She said face covers are best in public settings when around others outside a household, particularly if social distancing is difficult to maintain.

“With this high exposure and spread, it is as important as ever to wear your mask to protect yourself and those around you,” she said. “Everyone who is able to wear a mask should while in public. Face coverings are not a substitute for other prevention efforts, such as hand-washing and social distancing. Continue to stay 6 feet from others whenever possible, to clean hands frequently and to follow the other prevention methods.”