(WSIL) -- Beginning Friday, Governor JB Pritzker is requiring Illinois residents to wear a mask while in public, if they can't maintain a six-foot distance from others.
But how do you safely handle your mask throughout your day?
While going to public places, Dr. Matt Winkleman from SIH in Harrisburg says face-coverings and social distancing are vital to staying healthy.
"Wearing the masks does not negate our recommendation to continue to maintain social distance and also that it's critical when you're putting on and taking off the masks that you be practicing good hand hygiene," he said.
But what can you do when you're traveling in between different stores?
"If you lay the mask down on the, let's say, the seat of the car, you know whatever is on the surface of that mask is now on the seat of the car. So putting it into a bag or an envelope potentially helps contains what's on the outside of the mask," he said.
News 3 asked local residents what they thought about face-covering order.
"I think it's important. We need something…um…I just--I feel safer myself coming out with a mask," said Carterville resident Lavon Donley-Cornett.
"It's not a good idea. But then again, I know it saves lives," said Bloomington, Illinois resident Michelle McClellan.
For those that wear a cloth mask all day, Dr. Winkleman says to continue washing them frequently.
"If you cough and sneeze into the mask, you definitely want to clean it and launder it like you would other things," he said.
He says although they aren't fun to wear sometimes, avoid touching your face.
"Continue to avoid touching your face, which is a challenge when you're wearing the mask. Part of it, it's uncomfortable, it needs to be adjusted, whatever, so there's a tendency to maybe more frequently touch your face," he said.
The mask requirement in Illinois applies to all individuals over the age of two, who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering.
Businesses are setting the requirements for masks in Missouri, as there is no state mandate.
You'll need to wear a mask in Kentucky starting May 11.
