Welcome to North Shore Health Department COVID-19 Testing in Milwaukee: Click Here The North Shore remains in Phase B of the NSHD reopening plan as of 6/4/20: Businesses and organizations should continue to follow Phase B of the North Shore Health Department’s Guidelines for a Safe, Phased Reopening. These Guidelines are similar to those issued by other suburban health departments in Milwaukee County. The North Shore Health Department’s Guidelines should be used in conjunction with sector specific guidelines by agencies like the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and others. The North Shore Health Department letter on the North Shore Reopening Plan. Daily Public Briefings on COVID-19 North Shore Health Department Highlights 6/2/2020: Cloth Face Coverings The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highly recommends the use of cloth face coverings in public settings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Cloth face masks help reduce transmission “by preventing dispersal of droplets during talking, sneezing, and coughing, and also reduce the risk of environmental contamination” (Source). Using a cloth face mask also prevents touching of the nose and mouth with unclean hands, providing benefit to the wearer. Studies show that cloth face masks are most effective in combination with other precautionary measures, suggesting it is critical to practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet even while wearing a cloth face covering, as well as washing your hands frequently. Another study suggested that cloth face mask wearing should be widespread because with “broad adoption of even relatively ineffective face masks” there is the potential for lowering community transmission (Source). Even when you feel completely healthy you should wear a cloth face covering, as it is possible to have the virus and spread it to others without even knowing. Remember, when you choose to wear a cloth face mask, you are protecting those around you. When others choose to wear a cloth face mask, they are protecting you. We can all help protect and support one another in our communities by opting to wear a cloth face covering in public settings. How to make a simple cloth face covering: Click Here How to properly wear a cloth face covering: Click Here For the most recent updates on COVID-19 in the North Shore, visit our website. We also encourage you to frequently monitor the DHS website and CDC website. Missed the highlights? Click here to view previous highlights.