In Union Station on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA, Michael Nason, 29, and Donna Nason, 25, both residents of Bakersfield, were spotted wearing face masks. This sighting comes as California experiences a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. With this uptick in cases and the emergence of new virus variants, many are starting to question whether it’s time for Americans to start wearing masks again.
While it is certain that individuals infected with COVID-19 should wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus, for those who are not infected, the decision to mask up depends on various factors. Public health experts advise considering personal risk levels, COVID-19 rates in your region, and the people you come into contact with.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals at high risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 should strongly consider wearing masks in crowded and public spaces, particularly in areas with poor ventilation. This recommendation applies to older adults and those with conditions such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, heart disease, stroke, or weakened immune systems.
Andrew Pekosz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emphasizes the importance of informing highly vulnerable populations about the need for increased precautions, including masking. Currently, the rise in hospitalizations and deaths is primarily driven by COVID-19 infections among individuals 65 and older and other high-risk groups.
Last week, the U.S. witnessed a nearly 19% increase in weekly new COVID-19 hospitalizations, marking the sixth consecutive week of rising admissions. The surge in cases can be attributed to newer variants like EG.5 (also known as “Eris”) and several XBB strains, all of which originated from the omicron variant.
To address these concerns, new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax are set to be released in mid-September and are expected to offer robust protection against these variants. However, until these vaccines are available, experts recommend masking as a crucial tool in protecting oneself from the virus, especially as COVID-19 spreads more rapidly across the nation.
This advice applies not only to individuals at high risk but also to those with normal risk levels. The decision to wear a mask should be influenced by the COVID-19 metrics in your region and the people you interact with. It’s important to recognize that masking has proven effective in reducing transmission, as stated by Dr. Francesca Torriani, a professor of clinical medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
Additionally, implementing mask mandates in healthcare settings and businesses can significantly reduce the risk of large outbreaks, according to Pavitra Roychoudhury, a professor of laboratory medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
However, it remains unclear how many Americans will choose to mask up. Recent polls have shown that many people are not concerned enough about the rise in cases to alter their behavior. In fact, only 15% of respondents reported wearing masks regularly.
The CDC advises all individuals, regardless of risk level, to consider masking if COVID-19 hospital admissions in their county are high. The agency suggests wearing masks in jurisdictions where 20 or more people per 100,000 are hospitalized with COVID-19. Currently, this applies to seven counties in the U.S. The CDC also recommends masking for high-risk individuals in counties with 10 to 19.9 hospitalizations per 100,000. This threshold affects 117 counties nationwide, including 22 in Florida.
As we head into the fall and winter seasons, when the virus typically spreads more, individuals should continue monitoring hospitalization levels in their counties.
Moreover, the decision to mask should also be influenced by the people one interacts with. For example, it is advisable to wear a mask when visiting places with a high concentration of high-risk individuals, such as retirement homes, nursing homes, care facilities, and hospitals. If someone is caring for a family member or friend at high risk of severe COVID-19, wearing a mask is also recommended.
Even individuals with normal risk levels should consider the potential consequences of not wearing masks. While most healthy individuals may experience only mild symptoms if they contract COVID-19, there is still a risk of missing work or feeling miserable. It’s crucial to weigh the potential consequences and decide whether or not to take that chance.
While there are currently no nationwide or state-level mask mandates in place, it is possible for businesses, schools, and healthcare systems to implement institution-level mask mandates if cases and hospitalizations continue to rise. Several institutions have already reinstated mask mandates due to increased COVID-19 cases, including Morris Brown College, Kaiser Permanente, and various hospital systems in New York state. Even Hollywood studio Lionsgate temporarily required employees to wear masks due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
In conclusion, as the threat of COVID-19 persists and new variants emerge, it is important for individuals to consider masking as a preventive measure. The decision should be based on personal risk levels, COVID-19 rates in your region, and the people you come into contact with. Monitoring hospitalization levels and following CDC guidelines can help ensure safety during this ongoing pandemic.
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