According to Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist at the University of Texas, Americans should continue wearing masks indoors, even within their own homes, during the current surge of Covid-19. She emphasized the importance of wearing masks in crowded places, especially during a surge. Additionally, she suggested that wearing masks at home could help reduce household transmission of the virus. If someone tests positive, Dr. Jetelina advised wearing a mask when leaving isolation after five days. These recommendations come as there has been a slight increase in virus cases, with hospitalizations rising by 12% in the past week. However, it is important to note that the current rate is still considerably lower than this time last year.
It is worth mentioning that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 12% increase in hospital admissions across the country the week of July 22, marking the first week-on-week rise since December. The rise in cases can be attributed to the new highly-infectious variant called ‘Eris,’ which has become dominant in America. This variant, also known as EG.5, has been classified as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is currently under monitoring by the CDC. Experts have noted that EG.5 is one of the fastest-growing variants worldwide, possibly due to a slightly advantageous mutation that promotes faster spread. It has been detected in various countries, including China, South Korea, Japan, and Canada.
Despite the increase in cases, Covid-19 rates in terms of hospitalizations and deaths remain at historic lows. For comparison, at the peak of the pandemic in January 2022, hospitalizations reached as high as 150,674, whereas this time last year, they were just over 44,000. Recent deaths have also remained stable at around 500 per week, the lowest since the emergence of Covid-19.
Dr. Jetelina’s mask recommendations should be seen in light of recent evidence suggesting that Covid-19 restrictions, such as mask-wearing, have had negative effects on children’s growth and development. A CDC report revealed an increase in the diagnosis of developmental disabilities among children aged three to 17, while another study found developmental delays and reduced social skills in babies born during the pandemic. Dr. Jetelina emphasized that despite the desire to move on from the pandemic, the virus is still present and can cause severe consequences. It is important for individuals to continue taking precautions and follow recommended guidelines to protect themselves and others.
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