Pursuant to the Declaration of Public Health Emergency adopted by the Board of Health for Nashville and Davidson County on March 15, 2020
From: Dr. Michael Caldwell, Chief Medical Director of Health
In light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads, evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in communities across the country, and guidelines promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this Order regarding cloth face coverings or masks is being issued to protect the public health of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County, to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, to bend the curve, and to disrupt the spread of the virus, with the goal of saving lives and reducing strain on regional healthcare resources as much as possible.
Wearing a cloth face covering or mask is an additional public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a cloth face covering or mask is not intended to protect the wearer but may prevent the spread of virus to others. This is especially important if someone is infected but does not have symptoms.
Section 1
Citizens and visitors of Nashville and Davidson County should wear a cloth face covering or mask to cover their noses and mouths whenever in a community setting, especially in situations where other people are near. These settings include, but are not limited to, grocery stores, pharmacies, and the workplace. Wearing a cloth face covering or mask is especially important in areas of widespread COVID-19 illness.
Cloth face coverings and masks are not a substitute for social distancing. Even if wearing a cloth face covering or mask, persons should practice appropriate social distancing, stay six feet apart, clean hands frequently, and take other everyday preventive actions.
Surgical masks and N95 respirators are in short supply and should be reserved for healthcare workers or other medical first responders, as recommended by CDC guidance. Cloth face coverings can be made at home from common materials at low cost.
Cloth face coverings or masks should not be placed on children younger than 2 years of age, or when it would be contrary to the health or safety of the wearer due to a medical condition such as trouble breathing, unconsciousness, incapacitation, or inability to remove the covering without assistance.
Section 2
Businesses or facilities open to the public shall post conspicuous signage at all public entrances stating to the effect:
“Dear Customers/Visitors,
Please help us follow CDC GUIDELINES by wearing a cloth facial covering or mask while in our business/facility. This will help PROTECT our EMPLOYEES and EACH OTHER.”
Businesses, facilities, and critical infrastructure sectors, including but not limited to construction sites, warehouses and car lots, should require that employees wear a cloth face covering or mask when physically interacting with the public or other employees, except when wearing a mask would be contrary to the health or safety of the wearer. Such businesses, facilities, or sectors also should encourage customers and visitors to wear a cloth face covering or mask while inside the business, facility, or workplace, or at a worksite, except for children under two years of age, older children who are unable to wear masks safely, and others for whom wearing a mask would be contrary to the health or safety of the wearer.
No person declining to wear a cloth face covering or mask because of a medical condition shall be required to produce verifying medical documentation.
Section 3
Metro Government will use all available enforcement options to assure compliance with this Order.
If any provision, sentence, clause, phrase, or word, of this Order or any application of it to any individual, business, or circ*mstance is held to be invalid by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Order.
This Order 4 shall be effective at 12:01 a.m. CDT on May 1, 2020 and shall remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 31, 2020, subject to extension.
Date: April 30, 2020
Michael C. Caldwell, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Director of Health
As a seasoned public health expert with a deep understanding of the dynamics of infectious diseases, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, let me dissect the key concepts embedded in the provided article.
1. Declaration of Public Health Emergency: The article begins with a reference to the Declaration of Public Health Emergency adopted by the Board of Health for Nashville and Davidson County on March 15, 2020. This highlights the gravity of the situation, indicating that authorities recognized the urgent need for decisive action in response to the escalating COVID-19 crisis.
2. Dr. Michael Caldwell, Chief Medical Director of Health: Dr. Michael Caldwell, identified as the Chief Medical Director of Health, serves as a credible source and authority behind the issued order. This adds weight to the directives given in the article, establishing a connection between the recommendations and the expertise of a key medical figure.
3. New Data on COVID-19 Spread: The article cites "new data about how COVID-19 spreads," emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making. This underlines the dynamic nature of the pandemic and the necessity for adaptive public health measures in response to evolving information.
4. Guidelines from the CDC: The order explicitly mentions guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This integration with national health guidelines demonstrates a commitment to aligning local actions with broader, nationally recognized strategies for combating the spread of COVID-19.
5. Purpose of the Order: The core objective of the order is outlined, encompassing the protection of public health, mitigation of COVID-19 impact, "flattening the curve," and preventing virus spread. This aligns with broader global efforts to save lives and alleviate strain on healthcare resources.
6. Cloth Face Coverings and Masks: The article stresses the importance of wearing cloth face coverings or masks as an additional public health measure. It clarifies that these measures are not primarily to protect the wearer but to prevent the spread of the virus to others, especially crucial when individuals are asymptomatic carriers.
7. Community Settings: Specific settings where face coverings are strongly recommended are identified, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and workplaces. This demonstrates a targeted approach to risk reduction in areas where people are likely to gather and interact closely.
8. Not a Substitute for Social Distancing: The article emphasizes that face coverings are not substitutes for social distancing. It reinforces the importance of maintaining physical distance, hand hygiene, and other preventive actions alongside the use of face coverings.
9. Restriction on Surgical Masks and N95 Respirators: Given the shortage of surgical masks and N95 respirators, the order reserves these high-demand resources for healthcare workers and medical first responders, aligning with broader resource allocation strategies recommended by the CDC.
10. Exemptions and Enforcement: The order outlines exemptions for specific groups, such as children under two years and those with medical conditions. It also establishes enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the order, demonstrating a commitment to public safety.
11. Duration of the Order: The article concludes by specifying the effective dates of the order, starting on May 1, 2020, and remaining in effect through May 31, 2020, with the possibility of extension. This temporal aspect provides clarity on the duration of the recommended measures.
In summary, the article reflects a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to public health, integrating local context with national guidelines to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Nashville and Davidson County.
