BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — The CDC has issued new recommendations on the use of cloth face coverings allowing St. Joseph’s Hospital to accept donations of homemade masks. 

These masks will be used by certain hospital staff who have limited contact with the general patient population. These staff would include, but are not be limited to, security officers, cafeteria workers and cashiers. We will also make these masks available to our long-term care residents following new guidelines released by CMS on April 2. These guidelines recommend nursing home residents wear a cloth mask when interacting with nursing home staff. 

The CDC issued new recommendations on the use of cloth face coverings showing that their use can help prevent the spread of the virus from asymptomatic individuals, someone who carries the virus but does not have symptoms. Masks can also help the wearer by decreasing touching of the mouth and nose.

Masks can be dropped off in bins located outside the hospital at the triage tent in front of the Emergency Department and will be distributed to appropriate hospital staff. The hospital will also continue to accept homemade headbands for the masks.