FACE MASKS

After the last couple years of living through a global pandemic, it seems as though most of us are itching to get in some good travel time.

North East Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Sean Maika strongly recommended the use of face masks to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections on campus and says if the spread continues, the district may be forced to close schools.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued an executive order on Tuesday in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Bexar County.

The TSTA plea to Gov. Abbott comes as COVID-19 cases are rising across the state and after the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that everyone over the age of two wear a mask in school.

For the 2021-22 school year, the American Academy of Pediatrics is “strongly encouraging” COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone eligible, as well as the continued use of face masks for all students, teachers and staff.

H-E-B has updated its mask policy and will now allow partners, vendors and customers to peruse the aisles without a mask.

Bexar County and University Health have teamed up to encourage people to continue wearing face masks now that masks are no longer mandated in Texas. University Health System suggests wearing a face mask when in public or any time six feet of physical distance is hard to maintain. “Masks protect all of us, and I choose to wear a mask to protect my family and others around me,” said George B. Hernández Jr., President and CEO of University Health. “University Health has been at the forefront of this battle against COVID-19 since the beginning. We know firsthand how wearing masks and other science-based steps prevent transmission and save lives.”KSAT Community partners have also joined in the efforts to encourage people to keep wearing masks in public settings.

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Comal Independent School District board members gathered Tuesday to discuss the use of face masks after Gov. They decided in a 5 to 2 vote, making the use of a face-covering optional for students and staff members. Mona Ramirez, who is a Comal ISD parent, said the problem was the notification was vague. Unlike Comal ISD, New Braunfels ISD asked parents and staff members to participate in a thought exchange where they were allowed to contribute their preferences on continuing the face mask mandate. Ramirez has since started a change.org petition to get Comal ISD board members to reconsider their decision.

SAN ANTONIO – On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Below is a list of some places where masks will still be required, and what officials say about potential consequences. Federal propertyFor starters, there are still some places where masks are required by federal law. That means masks are required at the federal building and federal courthouse in San Antonio, as well as at the San Antonio Missions. The San Antonio Police Department public information office had a similar response.

Ad“H-E-B has always followed state and local ordinances and we will continue to request shoppers wear masks while in our stores. We request all customers wear masks and encourage it with messaging,” H-E-B spokesperson Dya Campos said in June of 2020. H-E-B has always followed state and local ordinances and we will continue to request shoppers wear masks while in our stores. Signs will remain posted at entrances and announcements made in store reminding customers to wear masks while shopping in our stores. At H-E-B, our top priority is protecting the health and safety of our Partners, customers and the communities we serve.

SAN ANTONIO – A Northside ISD student is making a difference in San Antonio’s fight against the coronavirus, one stitch at a time. So his mother, Elizabeth Salinas, taught him how to sew face masks, according to NISD. His mother says, eventually, they began selling the face masks in mass quantities due to the high demand. To learn more about Mateo’s face masks, visit his Facebook page here. RELATED: Face masks have gone from basic necessities to fashion accessories

SAN ANTONIO – Actor Mark Wahlberg is aiding students and teachers across the nation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including those in San Antonio. Wahlberg’s activewear brand Performance Inspired recently partnered with the active lifestyle brand LifeToGo to donate 1.3 million disposable face masks to teachers and students across the nation, as announced in a press release. Some areas have already received the donated 3-ply masks, including some students and teachers in San Antonio, the release said. Wahlberg posted a video message on social media thanking essential workers and teachers as they combat the pandemic. RELATED: KSAT Kids: Parents say San Antonio school districts getting better at virtual learning

SAN ANTONIO – 1,500 registration spots are still available for local businesses to receive masks, Bexar County officials say. County officials say 1,000 local businesses have registered for the event. Each business will receive 100 masks and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Masks will only be distributed to businesses that pre-registered for the event, the county said in a statement. Related: Bexar County to distribute 250,000 masks to businesses

By now, wearing a face mask when you’re out and about or around crowds of people should be nothing new. Here’s what the WHO had to say about using a fabric mask:Wash your hands before putting on the mask. If you need to use the mask again, hold it at the elastic loops when removing it from the bag. If hot water is not available, wash the mask in soap or detergent and room-temperature water, followed by either boiling the mask for 1 minute OR; by soaking the mask in 0.1% chlorine for 1 minute and thoroughly rinsing the mask with room-temperature water (there should not be any toxic residue of chlorine on the mask). Make sure you’re continuing to socially distance yourself from people who aren’t in your household, keep washing those hands and try to avoid touching your face as much as possible.

This time last year, we were beginning to talk about what kinds of fun costumes and masks we might wear for Halloween. Nowadays, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, masks are an every day, everywhere kind of thing. In an effort to fight the spread of the coronavirus, masks have been mandated for wear in plenty of places, so perhaps your mask has become second nature. That not only makes it a little more fun for those wearing the masks, but for us who are out people-watching (and unable to actually see people’s faces). And perhaps you just might give some others some fun ideas to work with.

SAN ANTONIO San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenbergs office is helping local businesses be better equipped to keep safe during the pandemic. As part of the event, hundreds of business owners lined up at the Alamodome parking lot to receive free personal protective equipment. I just want to thank everybody here today for volunteering their time and helping businesses get right back on track, Paradus said. More than 400 business owners pre-registered to receive a free PPE kit. Mayor Ron Nirenberg distributes free PPE to local businesses Saturday morning.

SAN ANTONIO A food truck known for settling your sweet and spicy cravings is offering more than just food items in an effort to help customers combat the coronavirus. Chamoy City Limits will be set up every Friday for the rest of July at several downtown locations, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., to hand out free face masks, hand sanitizers and paletas. Were driving around downtown today giving out PPE and paletas! Listen for the ice cream truck music Posted by Chamoy City Limits on Friday, July 10, 2020On Friday, July 10, the truck was parked at the Emily Morgan Hotel on East Houston. To learn more about Chamoy City Limits or where itll be located next, click here.

SAN ANTONIO One Texas company founded by three women has created a practical face mask to use while drinking and eating. Shut Your Mouth has invented colorful face masks with zippers at the mouth, making it perfect for sipping on a straw or eating small snacks. The three friends, from Houston, said they created the zipper masks because they wanted to help people by encouraging them to follow safety protocols during the coronavirus pandemic. Shut your mouth, but look great while doing it.778 new COVID-19 cases, 5 new deaths reported in Bexar CountyThe zipper masks are priced at $34.99, but the company also sells masks without a zipper for $18.99. These should not be unzipped for other reasons as it will defeat the purpose of the cover, the website states.

SAN ANTONIO – *This article was initially published on UT Health San Antonio’s newsroom website and was republished on KSAT.com with permission from UT Health. “Imagine how many senior adults, cancer patients or transplant recipients were spared from contracting COVID-19,” Dr. Berggren said. Dr. Berggren recalled a story about a hair salon where workers, who later learned they were infected, cut patrons’ hair. “We protect others when we wear a mask,” Dr. Berggren said. The numbers, both in San Antonio and in the 15 states studied, show it.

The masks Rivera posted photos of were face masks with earloops that don’t fit securely around the head, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends. The investigator’s visit had led him to wonder if repackaging masks for sale to unsuspecting customers was not kosher. The agency shared a photo of a packaged mask SKYOU attempted to sell, which is identical to a photo Rivera shared, only with the medical disclaimer removed. He said Mulligan caused “a very large scene” with officials at the agency’s Austin headquarters after SKYOU masks were rejected. In the end, Mulligan told me all the effort and expense of repackaging the masks was a waste.

SAN ANTONIO A man who was involved in a confrontation with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff over a face mask dispute has been arrested, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Video shows confrontation between Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, customer over mask at storeWolff was getting in line when a cashier told Toller that wearing a mask was required. From what we can see on the video, it appears Judge Wolff was just trying to be helpful with the situation, Salazar said. Wolff issued a countywide emergency order last week that requires businesses to ensure employees and customers wear face masks in any building. Businesses who are caught violating the order can face a fine up to $1,000.

SAN ANTONIO Shortly after turning himself in on a second-degree felony assault of a public servant charge a day after a confrontation with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, authorities reduced charges against the man to a low-level misdemeanor, his attorney told KSAT12. Tollers attorney, Nico LaHood, a former Bexar County district attorney, confirmed to KSAT that the charges were downgraded to disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. Toller is in the process of being released from the Bexar County Jail. Video shows confrontation between Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, customer over mask at storeWolff was getting in line when a cashier told Toller that wearing a mask was required. From what we can see on the video, it appears Judge Wolff was just trying to be helpful with the situation, Salazar said.

Business owners work to comply with new Bexar County mask orderIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

Restaurant, salon owners take action after new Bexar County executive order mandating masks in businesses issuedIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

A second wave of coronavirus now impacting San AntonioIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

Public health experts have advised the use of masks, especially in public spaces. Public health experts have looked on in dismay at the sight of public places and protests where throngs of people crowd together without protective face gear. We should definitely be wearing masks in any public place, said Paige Brann, a student who lives in Spring Branch. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner both regularly wear face coverings during livestreamed press briefings. Payne said its important for public officials to talk to health experts and get informed opinions to the public.

(CNN) -- Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin is bringing together the two necessities that are helping us get through this pandemic -- masks and of course, "Tiger King." Baskin, who was featured in the immensely popular Netflix docuseries "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness," is officially selling cat-themed face masks. They come in two styles -- one black and one leopard print -- but both feature a whiskered cat smile and Baskin's tagline, "Hey all you cool cats and kittens." Big Cat Rescue, Baskin's animal sanctuary in Tampa, Florida, has been closed to the public due to the pandemic. "There are not words for how disappointing it is to see that the series... had the sole goal of being as salacious and sensational as possible to draw viewers," Baskin wrote in a blog post titled "Refuting Netflix Tiger King."

SAN ANTONIO Costco has lifted a temporary policy in most of its stores that allowed only two shoppers per memberships to enter a warehouse at the same time. The limitation has been eliminated, except in Kentucky and Puerto Rico where only one person per membership is allowed entrance. On May 4, Costco warehouses and gas stations returned to normal operating hours in Texas. Costco is also giving priority access to healthcare workers and first responders who will be allowed to move to the front of any line to enter the warehouse. Find a Costco warehouse near you.

(CNN) -- Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin is bringing together the two necessities that are helping us get through this pandemic -- masks and of course, "Tiger King." Baskin, who was featured in the immensely popular Netflix docuseries "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness," is officially selling cat-themed face masks. They come in two styles -- one black and one leopard print -- but both feature a whiskered cat smile and Baskin's tagline, "Hey all you cool cats and kittens." One of the subjects of the hit Netflix documentary ‘Tiger King’ is from San AntonioBig Cat Rescue, Baskin's animal sanctuary in Tampa, Florida, has been closed to the public due to the pandemic. "There are not words for how disappointing it is to see that the series... had the sole goal of being as salacious and sensational as possible to draw viewers," Baskin wrote in a blog post titled "Refuting Netflix Tiger King."

SALT LAKE CITY – As Utah prepares to start reopening its businesses, the state is making sure anyone who wants a mask will get one. "We want to do everything we can as we work together as a state to combat COVID-19," Herbert said in a statement. With funding provided by the federal CARES Act, the state was able to buy two million face masks from the Utah Manufacturers Association and Cotopaxi, a Utah-based outdoor retailer. The masks, which will all be made in Utah, are keeping 200 Utahns employed as well, according to a news release. On Tuesday, Herbert announced that the state would move from high risk to moderate risk status starting on Friday.

Floresville, TEXAS – On Thursday evening, Floresville City Council issued a mandate ordering all people three years and older to wear some form of covering over their nose and mouth in an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. This mandate began at midnight on Friday and left some residents scrambling to find a mask or use items such as a scarf, bandana or handkerchief as an option. The city has a population of about 8,000 and sits 30 miles southeast of downtown San Antonio in Wilson County. As of Friday morning, one man has died and dozens of other tests are pending for both residents and staff. Below is the full Floresville City Council ordinance that was posted on their Facebook page.

(CNN) -- Federal law enforcement has disrupted a foreign criminal scheme to fraudulently sell 39 million N95 respirator masks to US health care workers, a Justice Department official said in an interview with CNN. In the past month, one group of alleged scammers attempted to bilk US health care companies by offering the sale of N95 masks and demanding upfront payment of 40% of the total bulk purchase price. Brady noted the SEIU and 3M -- which was reported to be the maker of the alleged N95 masks -- have also assisted authorities. N95 masks are currently among the most sought-after and scarce pieces of personal protective equipment for health care workers treating the thousands of US victims of the novel coronavirus. "The health care systems and first responders are so desperate they're willing to pay whatever it takes to keep their personnel safe," Brady noted.

High school senior Xayla Venema, daughter of KSAT’s Paul Venema, learned how to make face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, she took 20 of the ones she made to North Central Urgent Care Center, and she plans to donate more. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM KSAT:

SAN ANTONIO – A woman in Converse is giving a new meaning to the term “neighborly” during the coronavirus pandemic. Karen Thomas is helping supply face masks for her neighbors who need them. Thomas said she knows masks are nearly impossible to find in stores. With the Center for Disease Control and Prevention now recommending that people wear masks when they visit public spaces, Thomas wanted to help. She said she leaves masks in a Ziploc bag outside her door for her neighbors to use.

The craft store is also hosting classes to provide sewing instructions to those wanting to help produce personal protective equipment. Some companies are trying to help produce more masks for healthcare workers, by the use of 3D printers or standard textile service. While N95 respirator masks are most needed for those exposed to coronavirus in hospitals, many are having to settle for fabric hand-made masks in face of the product shortage. DonatePPE provides information to local offices in need of personal protective equipment. Mask Match recommends that handmade masks meet the following guidelines:

SAN ANTONIO – With a shortage of masks being felt across the country and right here at home, Alex Kling, owner of Trendy Little Rebelz children’s clothing, felt the fabric she had for her clothing line could make a difference. As of Friday, Kling said she had made around 350 masks for people in the San Antonio area. She has only provided those masks to first responders and health care workers, who have to provide work verification to get the 80 percent off, plus shipping and PayPal fees. She will continue to take orders from those on the front lines until she runs out of donated material. According to Kling, another source of masks for hospitals and health care workers is the Sewing Masks for San Antonio Facebook group.

Make a face mask at home | SA Live | KSAT 12Published: March 31, 2020, 3:10 pmHave you been struggling with how to take care of your skin without going to a professional? Here are a couple ideas on how to make your own facemask, and where to find great products online.

Self care while staying at home | SA Live | KSAT 12Published: March 24, 2020, 4:42 pmOur producer has some tips on staying sane while in self quarantine.

The United States' top doctor has one simple request: Stop buying face masks. US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams' message, posted to Twitter on Saturday, was a response to face mask shortages as people stocked up due to coronavirus concerns. "Seriously people," he began, and though it's a tweet, you can almost hear the exasperation in his plea. "STOP BUYING MASKS!" With coronavirus popping up in the United States, some have begun buying face masks as a form of protection, despite the likes of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Vice President Mike Pence saying they're unnecessary.