IDPH Information on COVID-19 and masks
What PPE is required to work in or attend school? (Updated 10/27/2020) All persons on school grounds including students, teachers, school nurses, administrative and secretarial staff, food service personnel, custodial staff, public safety personnel, etc., must wear a face covering at all times when in school or in transit to and from school via group conveyance (i.e., school buses), unless a specific exemption applies. The face covering should have two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19, and should be worn over the nose and mouth, secured under the chin, and should fit snugly against the sides of the face without gaps. Masks intended for healthcare workers, such as N95 respirators, should not be worn. There are also masks available with exhalation valves or vents. These are not recommended for source control of COVID-19 and should NOT be worn.
Can neck warmers be used as a substitute for cloth face coverings? (Updated 10/27/2020) It is not known if athletic face coverings/neck warmers provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles. CDC does not recommend use of athletic face coverings (e.g., ‘gaitors’/neck warmers as a substitute for cloth face coverings.