Welcome! This forum has a treasure trove of great info – Scouters helping Scouters! Just a heads up, though - all content, information, and opinions shared on this forum are those of the author, not the BSA.
It is possible to feel well, have COVID-19, and pass it to others.
Remember Scouts and Scouters are kind and courteous to others.
Per broadcast news, the latest recommendation from a researcher is to wear two masks, surgical over cloth. Wash the cloth mask about every four days. (Layering some types of masks may cause breathing problems. Check with your medical doctor.)
It is also being recommended that the masks be worn both outside and in the home.
Where do I find cloth mask for wear with the Scout and Scouter uniforms?
Your local BSA district and/or council should be your starting point for mask guidance for Scouting activities. Right now, there is a wide variety of authorized activity taking place across the country, from virtual only to full in-person meetings, so it really depends where someone is located.
Beyond your local district and/or council, the local health department should be consulted for types of masks, numbers of people allowed, and other guidance. Local health departments should be issuing guidance based on local data, so they may have different regulations or recommendations than national CDC guidance.
Because I know someone will think, “is there a uniform guideline for what masks should look like?” I think the answer to that is a definite no. Frankly, if masks are required, I’m perfectly fine seeing the scouts & scouters wear whatever mask they wish that fulfills the guidelines, as long as there is nothing offensive or obscene on the mask. I would even allow camouflage.
Our troop ordered spirit-wear gaiters. Got mine last night. It’s pretty thin, given my large frame, so I’ll wear it over my cloth mask.
My pandemic guy (a friend who is only useful once a hundred years ) has promoted air circulation/purification.
There is other evidence that this particular virus “drowns” in large water droplets. That’s possibly why masks have been surprisingly successful. (We can discuss measures of success later.)
However, there are other nasty microbes that love large, warm water droplets. Thus why masks should be washed regularly.
Summer camp taught our scouts a lot about mask discipline. I’m glad our troop found one that was open. I sincerely believe it prepared them well for school.
Vaccines will be a game-changer. Distribution is going to be rough for a while. But if you qualify, get on a waiting list. My shot is only as efficient as the proportion around me who are also vaccinated. Until then, my mask is handy.
Oh, my barista custom-made my mask to suit my large head + beard.
My mechanic also gave me a packet of cloth masks … just in case a passenger would need one.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Covid-19 masks
Per a talk with our local national Scout Shop sales person there appears to be no BSA-branded masks,
Scouting forum rules prevent me from advertising mask sources in this discussion.
At my hospital yesterday I was given a clean surgical mask (light blue) to wear. (Replaced the one I was wearing). However it was not properly fitted to my face.
All medical staff and patients were wearing at least a surgical mask.
Nurses (RN’s) were wearing more PPE including N95 mask and and face shield.
(One RN had a cat’s nose on the face shield.)
I would select a mask based on medical recommendations and not a fashion or any other kind of statement. Most of the cloth masks I see people, especially kids, wearing are making some kind of statement – either to look cool or match clothing or express something. Many of those masks are not optimal. I only agree in part with following local health department regulations because there are some areas that are very resistant to masking up or wear them improperly.
Because they are not needed everywhere. Think about some of the rural counties in the midwest. They really don’t need to wear a mask there because the risk of transmission is very low.
I don’t think there are any U.S. counties left without Covid cases. Rural areas like the one I live in may have lower risk, but it’s not zero. We’ve still had people die here, including among some who thought their risks were low due to fewer people and the fact that they worked outside. Rural areas are especially at risk because health care services are more limited. Scouts ideally should be part of efforts to protect their communities.
) has promoted air circulation/purification.
