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Q: I'm going for a walk in my neighborhood. Do I need a mask or face-covering? A: Probably not. Face coverings are not directed to be worn when home, in your car alone or with members of your household, exercising outdoors when appropriate social distancing is possible.

That said, it recommended to have a face covering with you and ready to use when in public for times when maintaining physical distancing is not possible. Stick one in your pocket!

Q: Ok but...why. A: Because we want to keep up the good work. King County has made progress to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, but most people do not have immunity to the disease and remain susceptible.

As a community, we remain vulnerable to a surge of new cases that could make many more people ill & overwhelm our health care system’s ability to treat those with the most serious complications of the disease. That means taking small, simple measures like covering our faces

Q: I want to be extra-safe. Should I buy an N95 or surgical-grade mask? A: Only if you work in health care or medicine. There is a serious shortage of PPE for health care workers. Medical masks should be reserved for those who are on the front lines working to protect us all.

Q: I have a physical disability that makes a mask difficult. Do I still need one? A: No. If wearing a face covering would be difficult or harmful, don't do it. Someone who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communications, for example, can forgo a mask.

Q: What is the penalty for people who flout this directive? A: There is no penalty for not wearing a face covering. Violation of this Directive does not create grounds to stop, detain, issue a citation, arrest, or prosecute individuals who do not comply with it.

Law enforcement *will not be involved* in the enforcement of this directive. This directive is not a punitive measure. It's designed to educate, encourage, and persuade individuals to wear face coverings.

This is, of course, an ever-changing situation. We will evaluate if additional steps need to be taken if there is wide-scale non-compliance. However, we also know that many members of the community experience fear when wearing a mask.

Wearing a mask makes some feel vulnerable to bias. Discrimination and hatred must be called out in all situations – at all times – but right now, it is particularly egregious that people could feel open to racial profiling as they follow public health requirements.