In King County, although Washington State has succeeded in part in the fight against the pandemic, the county's health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin is again recommending indoor mask mandates in the county.
Three weeks ago, King County allowed people to ditch masks as a decrease in COVID infections and deaths was observed.
But now, taking into account the soaring numbers of infections and deaths nationwide, Dr. Duchin is recommending people wear a mask in indoor settings, regardless of your vaccination status.
Three weeks ago, the nation recorded an average of around 18,000 cases per day. And to put the number in perspective, this week's figure (average ~ 51,000) is about three times the number recorded three weeks ago.
So much so, health officials are considering giving those at risk a third COVID shot.
Meantime, Dr. Duchin said, "Masking is easy. It doesn’t cost anything. We’re not restricting people’s activities or ability to do what they want to do. We’re only giving them advice on how to do so more safely. And this whole idea of layered protection is critically important."
He said also protecting those ineligible for a vaccine - children under the age of 12 and the immunocompromised - is crucial to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Duchin added while health officials are trying with might and main to prod those unvaccinated and conversative Americans into getting COVID shots, maintaining a culture of masking could cushion the blow because masks can undoubtedly help protect everyone and lower the numbers of hospitalisations and deaths.
Making every minute in the fight against COVID count, health officials have switched to accentuating the advantages of getting the life-saving vaccines, with the hope of encouraging more youngsters to avail themselves of the nationwide vaccination drive.
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