If you’re anything like me, you probably have masks stashed in various places: your car’s glove compartment, your purse, around the house, and even in the pockets of your clothes. My partner and I also keep disposable masks in our vehicles for those moments when someone forgets their cloth mask. Despite three-quarters of my family being fully vaccinated, I’m perplexed by the mixed messages surrounding mask usage. Some places mandate masks upon entry, while others do not, leading to confusion about what we should be doing. Should we shop without masks? Should our kids wear them? As a cautious parent, I choose to wear a mask in public and ensure my children do as well.
Reflecting on the last time I saw Dr. Matthews looking this concerned, it reminds me of the early days of the pandemic. With the recent CDC guidelines and conflicting information from health authorities, it’s hard to know what actions to take. What we do know is that the Delta variant is spreading rapidly; by mid-July, it accounted for about 83% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., as per CDC estimates.
Feeling anxious yet? If not, consider this: the confirmed cases of the Delta variant surged by 20% in just two weeks. It seems straightforward—if COVID cases are increasing, why wouldn’t we reimpose stricter mask mandates? We all want to enjoy summer activities, like beach trips and barbecues, but we must recognize that being unmasked right now isn’t safe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for mask-wearing, as does Dr. Thompson, the Surgeon General, who recently expressed support for reinstating mask mandates in light of rising cases globally. The WHO takes a broader look at the pandemic, not just focusing on the U.S.
The CDC had previously relaxed its mask guidelines, indicating that masks were unnecessary outdoors and suggesting that only unvaccinated individuals over two years old should wear masks indoors. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics has since updated its recommendations to endorse universal masking. Dr. Matthews stated in a CNN interview that local health agencies should have the flexibility to make decisions based on their specific situations.
As Professor Jane Smith from the University of Maryland School of Public Health points out, encouraging mask removal for vaccinated individuals might have motivated some to get vaccinated, but the overlap between anti-vaccine sentiments and anti-mask attitudes complicates this strategy. Much like Los Angeles, we need states and the CDC to enforce mask mandates in both indoor and outdoor settings to eliminate the uncertainty we currently face, regardless of vaccination status.
Ultimately, we must rely on common sense: wear a mask whenever you’re unsure about the vaccination status of those around you—which is often the case. Otherwise, we risk transmitting illnesses simply by being near each other.
We need to unite as a community to vaccinate ourselves and our children where possible, wear masks, and take necessary precautions while monitoring the rise in COVID numbers. States must enforce mandates to safeguard their residents, while everyone should strive for a unified approach to reduce infection rates. The Delta variant is a stark reminder that we are not out of danger yet, so let’s stay vigilant and mask up.
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