Library Requiring Masks on Kids 3-11 Beginning Nov. 2
October 28, 2020 — In response to continued concerns about the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities, the Springfield-Greene County Library District will require children ages 3-11 to wear a face mask or face covering while in any of the 10 city and county branches, effective Monday, Nov. 2. Medical exemptions are permitted.
The Library already requires visitors age 12 and older to wear face coverings in all library buildings, with medical exemptions, in accordance with a City of Springfield masking ordinance. The Library also requires face coverings to be worn in its five county branches. The city ordinance recommends children ages 3-11 wear masks in public places, but gives businesses and organizations the option of requiring them.
Library visitors are also asked to practice social distancing and frequent handwashing and sanitizing, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials.
Library administrators adopted the stricter masking rule based on current data indicating that the virus spreads most commonly through the air exchanged by an infected individual. While children are less likely to contract COVID-19, they can carry and spread it to others. Requiring masks this time of year may also help reduce the spread of colds and flu.
In another precautionary step due to air transmission concerns, the library will replace all building filters with those rated for more intense filtration.