COVID Mask Mandates Return To The US

Authorities have reported an increase in respiratory maladies, including the flu and COVID-19 (which are the same thing), prompting some hospitals and local governments to reinstate mask requirements at healthcare facilities.

New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, the state of Washington, and several other jurisdictions have implemented the mandates within the last week or so. COVID mask mandates return to the US of A. I am so ecstatic (said no one ever). 🤣🤭

The Golden State of California

When the county reaches a medium level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, which the county and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define as 10 to 10.9 new hospital admissions per 100,000 people over seven days, masking will be mandatory in certain hospital settings, Los Angeles County announced last week.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated: “Notable, albeit unanticipated, increases in COVID-19 reported cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities have occurred in Los Angeles County over the past week.”

It further stated, “Although recent increases are noteworthy, they remain substantially below the zenith of last winter; therefore, prudent precautions are strongly advised to prevent the spread of severe illness and ensure a healthy start to the year.”

In California, beginning in early November, several counties surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area instituted a mask requirement in anticipation of an increase in respiratory ailments during the winter.

This mandate will expire in April, according to officials. Last year, San Luis Obispo County authorities issued a comparable directive near Los Angeles. We shall continue with COVID mask mandates making its return to the US.

Illinois to reinstate COVID mask mandates in the US

In recent days, numerous hospital systems and businesses have also begun mandating the use of masks. Furthermore, masks are once more mandatory at the facilities of Endeavor Health in the Chicago area and Cook County Health, which includes Chicago.

A letter from the Illinois Department of Public Health advising hospitals to reinstate mask use prompted the implementation of the stipulation.

I want to add that masking does not help anyone remain safe from “viruses.” If you read the box, it clearly states it does not protect anyone from airborne pathogens. Face diapers are futile.

New York

According to an announcement made several days ago, the government of New York City has implemented a mask mandate for all eleven public hospitals, as well as various health care and long-term care facilities located throughout the five boroughs.

“Staffing shortages are the last thing we want,” Ashwin Vasan, the health commissioner of the city, told WABC TV, a local media outlet, on January 3. “When the omicron pandemic struck in 2022, the greatest concerns were not only that people were falling ill, but also that a large number of frontline health workers were traveling with COVID.”

During an earlier, more modest surge in COVID-19 cases, some hospitals in western and upstate New York reinstated mask requirements last month and in the autumn of 2023.

Pennsylvania

Four hospital systems implemented masking requirements in and around the Philadelphia metropolitan area over the past weekend. As of January 5, all personnel and visitors to Cooper University Health Care facilities are required to wear facial coverings in patient rooms and examination rooms.

Jefferson Health announced on January 6 that, until January 29, all staff members in certain locations would be required to wear masks. Similarly, the University of Pennsylvania Health System has announced that masks will be mandatory during all patient care and patient-facing procedures.

According to CBS News, the hospital issued the following statement: “Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last ten days or who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19—cough, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion—are required to don a mask.”

“Facilities prohibit the entry of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous ten days or who exhibit symptoms consistent with the virus, even when wearing a mask.”

Moreover, as reported, beginning January 4, Main Line Health will require masks from all individuals, including visitors and patients. Be careful not to sneeze near anyone. Damn these COVID mask mandates making their return to the US.

via GIPHY

COVID mask mandates in other states

Reportedly, state hospitals in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Delaware, and Washington have implemented comparable mask regulations.

In North Carolina, Cape Fear Valley Health has announced that all patients and visitors will be required to wear masks. Local media reported that last week, UNC Health, Duke Health, and WakeMed began restricting juvenile visitors to certain inpatient areas.

Seven locations throughout the state of Washington will once again be required to wear masks, Kaiser Permanente announced last month. This rule, however, only applies to personnel who interact with patients.

TidalHealth announced on December 28, 2023, that all hospital visitors must wear masks in patients’ chambers in Delaware.

The hospital states that the implementation of this regulation was “an effort to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our population from close contact with potentially contagious individuals who do not yet have symptoms.”

Late last month, some institutions in Wisconsin also implemented regulations mandating the use of face coverings. Wild considering it is going on four years now.

Although hospital officials have reported an increase in COVID-19 cases, historical data from the CDC indicates that the number of cases is lower than it was a year ago. As of December 31, 2022, the total number of hospitalizations exceeded 44,500.

For the week ending December 30, 2023, that figure was approximately 34,800. What happened to the flu? Oh, it is called COVID nowadays.