Face Mask Orders Are Back As Covid-19 Rises Across the US

(CNN) – While the need to wear masks never completely dissipated during the covid-19 pandemic, the guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed it in May. restrictions on vaccinated people, a welcome omen of a possible return to normalcy.

Now, with the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the country, security measures, such as orders to use face masks, are again under consideration.

Former US Chief Health Officer Dr. Jerome Adams said on Friday that the CDC must clarify its message so that Americans are once again engaged in the fight against the growing wave of infections.

The CDC’s decision “was to trust the American people to really do the right thing, but unfortunately people chose to go out and remove their mask, whether they were vaccinated or not,” Adams told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

“We have to trust that our health officials will give the best advice they can at that time, and the CDC gave the best advice they could at that time,” he added. “But guess what? That was before the delta wave. The delta variant is changing things.”

The delta variant, believed to be more transmissible and dangerous, accounted for about 83% of coronavirus cases in the U.S. during the two weeks ending July 17, according to CDC data, a substantial increase from the negligible figures in early May.

Cases are increasing dramatically. The United States averaged more than 49,300 new COVID-19 cases per day during the week ending this Friday, an increase of almost 60% from the previous week and more than four times the lowest average of 2021 (11,299 on the 22 June), according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Each state reported more cases in the week ending Friday than the week before, Johns Hopkins figures show.

Health experts have repeatedly pointed to preventive vaccination as the best way to stay ahead of surges due to its proven effectiveness, but data from the CDC on Friday showed that the rate of vaccinations continues to decline. The daily average of people who get fully vaccinated is the lowest since late January, when the US was beginning to accelerate its vaccination campaign.

Vaccination progress in the United States

Thirty states have yet to fully vaccinate at least half of their residents, with fewer than 35% of Alabama and Mississippi fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey called on “unvaccinated people” Thursday amid rising COVID-19 cases. “People are supposed to have common sense, but it is time to start blaming unvaccinated people, not normal people. It is the unvaccinated people who let us down,” he told reporters in Birmingham.

With vaccination numbers lagging behind, officials say more countermeasures against COVID-19 are likely needed.

The CDC’s guidance on mask use hasn’t changed, but CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Thursday that localities may want to make their own decision.

“Communities and individuals must make the right decisions for themselves based on what is happening in their local areas,” he said. “So if you live in an area that has a high case rate and low vaccination rates where delta cases are increasing, you should certainly wear a mask if you are not vaccinated.”

Mask orders face opposition

Amid the growing number of infections, some state and local leaders are now recommending that masks be worn indoors, even by those who are vaccinated.

Health officials in Seattle and King County in Washington noted Friday that the prevalence of the delta variant in the U.S. was 1.4% on May 13 when the CDC removed mask requirements for vaccinated people. . Right now, delta accounts for 56% of King County’s reported infections and the number is expected to rise.

“I know this is frustrating and perhaps disappointing for many, it certainly is for me,” Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, a health officer for the Seattle and King County Public Health Department, said Friday.

“And I recognized that the change in communication,” he said, “has been a real problem at the national level, but we in public health have an obligation to be realistic about the changing situation and provide the best possible guidance.”

Officials in St. Louis, Missouri, have gone one step further by instituting an order for the use of indoor masks in public places beginning Monday, joining Los Angeles County as one of the first areas in the country to reinstate such measures.

Missouri has one of the highest per capita average daily new case rates, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

“The new rule will require all people over the age of five, including those vaccinated, to wear a mask. The use of masks outdoors, especially in group settings, will be strongly encouraged,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office. Exceptions are included for those who are sitting and eating in bars and restaurants.

“We have lost more than 500 St. Louis residents to COVID-19, and if our region does not work together to protect each other, we could see spikes overwhelming our hospital and public health systems,” said Dr. Fredrick Echols, acting director of health for the city of St. Louis.

However, Missouri State Attorney General Eric Schmitt said Friday that he will go to court to stop the requirement.

“The citizens of St. Louis and St. Louis County are not subjects, they are free people. As your attorney general, I will file a lawsuit on Monday to stop this madness,” said Schmitt. in a statement on Twitter.

Officials elsewhere are rejecting proposed interior mandates as well. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey encouraged people in his state to get vaccinated, thanking “the miracle of modern science,” but reiterated that he will not allow the requirement for the application of vaccines or the use of masks.

In Texas, Austin Mayor Steve Adler says that if he could “order all the kids and teachers to mask themselves without finishing in court,” he would “do it in no time.” Austin Public Health reported that the average daily number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 is more than triple since July 4.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, however, issued an executive order in May prohibiting state government entities, such as counties, from requiring the use of masks.

The level of spread varies across the United States

Safety restrictions are set for the new school year

With the new school year just around the corner, and access to vaccines only available to those 12 and older, some districts are preparing to return to school with mandatory mask use.

The Washington City and Boston Public Schools as well as the Madison School District in Wisconsin are among those that recently announced the need for students and staff to wear face masks inside school buildings.

Other places, like Texas and Iowa, have prevented officials from exercising local control by demanding masks.

Last week, California had announced strict state measures for the use of masks in classrooms, but changed its position hours later and allowed decision-making at the local level.

“California school guidance regarding the use of face masks will be clarified, recognizing the experience of local schools in keeping students and educators safe, while ensuring that schools fully reopen for instruction in person, “reads the update, which was posted via a tweet from the California Department of Public Health.

CNN’s Lauren Mascarenhas, Raja Razek, Chris Boyette, Roxanne Garcia, Deidre McPhillips, Carma Hassan, Cheri Mossburg and Joe Sutton contributed to this report.